Things are now changing in the neighborhood, and the timing could not be better as the government of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has stepped up its land redistribution program as part of efforts to empower the rural poor.

The Agrarian Reform Consortium (KPA) said rural women should be empowered during a discussion on women’s rights in rural areas in connection with the commemoration of National Farmers Day on Sept. 24.

The discussion that took place on July 10 heard how the Pasundan Farmers Union (SPP) was encouraging women to attend community meetings and have their say as land certificates were being distributed.

In the past, women were not only excluded but were also afraid to speak up because they would be scolded the moment they opened their mouths, explained Wati, the union women’s coordinator in Ciamis.

“Speaking up and disagreeing with the men was considered sinful,” she said, adding that those who dared to speak up would be subjected to vicious rumors about their personal lives and characters that would spread through the entire village.

Wati who resides in Ciamis, said she joined a Quranic recital group and went to school to find women willing to change the male-dominated society. 

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