The Role of Women’s Involvement in the Implementation of the Blue Economy

In Indonesia, women have an important role in the maritime and fisheries sector. The involvement of women in the implementation of the Blue Economy is very necessary to achieve sustainable marine and fisheries development. The Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) continues to strive to support the role of women in the marine and fisheries sector. This effort aims to increase women’s participation in all aspects and provide wider access for women.

Let’s discuss the role of women in implementing the Blue Economy and the KKP’s efforts to increase women’s participation in the maritime and fisheries sector.

1. The Role of Women in the Blue Economy

The role of women in the fisheries sector covers the entire value chain from upstream to downstream. According to data from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP), as many as 148,221 women are involved as fisheries business actors, which represents around 10% of the total fisheries business actors in this sector. The professions involved include fishermen, fish farmers, fish processors, fish marketers, inter-port marketers, and salt farmers.

There are at least three roles for women in supporting the Blue Economy, including:

• As a driver of the family economy.
  Women’s involvement can increase family income and encourage maritime economic development.
• As an agent of change in the community.
  Coastal women can help increase public awareness about the importance of preserving the sea and fisheries sustainability.
• Maintaining food security in coastal communities.
  Women’s participation can help increase access to nutritious food and improve the quality of life of coastal communities.

2. KKP’s Efforts to Strengthen the Role of Women

Realizing the need to increase the role of women in the marine and fisheries sector, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries has taken several strategic steps as follows:

1. Establish policies that support gender equality in the marine and fisheries sector through Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Regulation (Permen KP) No. 51 of 2016, KP Ministerial Regulation no. 43 of 2023, and Decree of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (Kepmen KP) No. 84 of 2020.
2. Including women in the Modern Fishermen’s Village (Kalamo) and Aquaculture Village programs.
3. Providing training programs and access to capital, as well as assistance with fisheries facilities, including fishing gear, fish cultivation and fish processing.
4. Providing free educational facilities for children of key fisheries actors.

Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Sakti Wahyu Trenggono, explained that gender mainstreaming is an important aspect in implementing the Blue Economy. Therefore, the KKP allocated a budget of IDR 662 billion for the gender mainstreaming program in 2024. This budget continues to increase every year, where in 2021 the allocation is IDR 288 billion.

3. Aruna Supports Women to Get Involved in Various Sides

At Aruna, women also have an important role in running the company’s business and supporting the Blue Economy. Women occupy strategic positions, such as Utari Octavianty who serves as Co-Founder and Chief Sustainability Officer at Aruna. Likewise with the women involved as Nakama Aruna and Local Heroes.

Aruna also empowers coastal women to be active as Aruna Pickers, who are tasked with preparing and classifying fishermen’s catches based on commodities grade-his. Apart from that, through the Maritime Foundation, coastal women are also involved in developing Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) products, starting from providing new skills to promoting the products they produce.

Women’s involvement in the Blue Economy is key to achieving sustainable and equitable marine and fisheries development. Providing opportunities for women to be involved in various aspects of Blue Economy policies is an inclusive step to advance Indonesia’s fisheries and marine sectors.