Mathea Mamoyau originally wanted to join the Women's Army Corps, but wound up defending the rights of Kamoro women as an activist in Mimika regency. Now the 48-year-old, better known as Thea, is set to join the provincial legislature as a representative, after winning a seat in the last election.

Thea has been working for PT Freeport Indonesia since 2006 as a 'women's relationship coordinator', running empowerment programs for the Kamoro that have been sponsored by the company and USAID.

The Kamoro ' one of 20 tribes in Papua, comprise around 18,000 people living in 59 villages around coastal Timika. They work as hunters, food gatherer, wood carvers and spirit mask makers.

Thea, who stands at 170 centimeters, says she's frequently been suspected of being a provocateur ' an allegation she dismisses.

'I must explain to them that my activities are done to empower the Kamoro women in order to maintain and preserve the mangroves. Some mangroves might be chopped down by irresponsible individuals to enrich themselves without any permits from the local residents as the owners,' Thea says.

Mangroves will flourish if Kamoro women understand how to grow and maintain the forests, Thea adds. She's proud of her work in developing and promoting a government regulation banning the destruction of mangroves ' something that has reduced social conflict in the province.

Dense mangrove forests ' which cover more than 276,000 hectares along Mimika's coastal wetlands ' help to protect the environment and provide habitats for crabs and shrimp. The traditional crab cultivation business in Timika is one of the largest in Eastern Indonesia.

'I don't want them to become spectators in their own land if mangrove trees are chopped down for the sake of the business. Seeing this disadvantageous condition, legal assistance has been introduced in order that they understand the rights of forest, land, and education,' Thea said.

Since Mimika was incorporated as a province in 2001, development has accelerated, changing the lives of local residents in dramatic ways. The population has increased, with more and more outsiders arriving to set up homes and businesses in Timika, Thea said.

As a result, Thea has taken to the field to protect the rights of local residents in a regency where more than half the population is poor.

'I have routinely been visiting the villages in the hinterlands of Timika to promote and provide legal assistance to Kamoro women. Quite often my team ' Sister Yulita [a nun] ' and I stay overnight at local houses because of the distance.'

It takes at least five hours by boat to visit the villages, she says.

Thea fears that destruction of the mangrove forests will lead to land seizures, dashing the hopes of their children and grandchildren. 'They will never see what mangroves look like, and will not have the land in the future. I asked them not to fall asleep in the abundant forest.'

On land rights, Thea has inspired Kamoro women to conduct land mappings certified women during the certification process.

She's also worried about increasing incidents of domestic violence over the last 10 years. 'Often a few drunken habits and financial issues dominate conflicts in the family that result in domestic violence. Some of the couples are not open in their financial management. At least four cases of domestic violence a month have happened.'

On education, Thea has been touting the importance of literacy, encouraging Kamoro women to send their children to school.

'The local government has provided some schools for them for free. However, I often find children in the village who do not want to return to school,' Thea says. 'The reason is that they want to help their parents to plant taro and cassava, fish and hunt. I rekindle their spirit to go back to school.'

She feels satisfied that her work to empower and educate Kamoro women has begun to pay off.

'They have expressed their gratitude,' Thea says. 'They know their rights now,'

Photo by Prihantoko

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