Spatial injustice, administrative exclusion, fragmented governance, tokenistic participation, and unequal distribution of economic benefits remain five key challenges faced by women who actively champion the protection of coastal ecosystems, including mangroves.
These issues took centre stage during an academic dialogue organized by CARE Indonesia in collaboration with the Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences at Sam Ratulangi University (Unsrat) on 21 October 2026, at the International Seminar Room on the Unsrat campus in Manado. Bringing together academics and students, the discussion sought to gather insights and perspectives on strengthening women’s tenure rights in coastal governance and mangrove restoration.
During the dialogue, Unsrat academics highlighted opportunities to advance policy development in North Sulawesi, including by drawing on community-based mangrove management practices in Tiwoho, North Minahasa. CARE Indonesia and Unsrat agreed on the importance of stronger inter-institutional coordination to ensure that coastal management and mangrove restoration efforts recognize and protect the rights of communities that have long depended on these areas. This includes women’s tenure rights to access natural resources, participate in decision-making, and secure a fair share of the benefits generated.
The dialogue with Unsrat builds on an earlier discussion held on 23 September 2026 with the Study Group on Sustainable Development Systems and Politics at the University of Indonesia (UI), which explored strategies to strengthen gender equality. Insights from both discussions will inform the development of priority policy recommendations, an implementation prioritization matrix, proposals for strategic contributions, and policy recommendations tailored to North Sulawesi.
These findings will be synthesized into a policy brief to inform national-level dialogue with policymakers and other key stakeholders, helping advance more inclusive and gender-responsive approaches to coastal governance and mangrove restoration.
