Peranan Perempuan dalam Pemberdayaan Komunitas terhadap Pengelolaan Ketahanan Hayati

Abstract

This paper aims to identify and discuss the role of Balinese women in collective activities for community empowerment in two villages in Bali. The two sites are Legian (Site A) and Peninjoan (Site B). Information was collected using questionnaires and interviews with female leaders and other women in the two villages. There are high levels of participation in community activities by women in both villages. Women are actively involved in social, cultural, spiritual, tourism and agricultural activities. However the capacities of women involved in community empowerment at Site A are higher than those at Site B. This is demonstrated by the success of the PKK (program for women to improve family welfare) at Site A, where the women have independently implemented a collective program for the eradication of mosquitoes carrying dengue fever. This activity involves the ongoing clearing of lane ways as an activity from the women, by the women, for the women. At Site B, participation of women in collective activities is still low. There continues to be failure in leadership in various women's activities, which are only implemented if they are pushed directly by the government. The women of the community depend on direction from traditional male leadership for implementation of village activities Female leadership exists in the organizational structure known as the PKK (Family Welfare and Empowerment). This organization usually sits below, or shadows, male leadership at the lurah' (village) or 'banjar' (hamlet) level. The wives of the Lurah and Banjar are automatically appointed as leaders of the respective levels of PKK. At Sites A and B decisions made by the PKK are still dependent on agreement from the lurah or banjar head. Women have potential in various aspects of social capital, but unfortunately this is often overlooked as women are subordinate to men within the community. This is apparent in various leadership structures such as BAMUS (Badan Musyawarah), the institution which coordinates between community administrative and traditional leaders at Site A and BPD (Village Representation Agency) at Site B. Women are not represented in either of these organizations. Women in these locations need to be encouraged and empowered to strengthen women s organizations and increase women's involvement in decision-making.