Dayakng Senta Community, Women Guardians of the Krio Dayak Traditional Forest

In Menyumbung Village, Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan, Indigenous Women from Dayak Krio join hands to protect their customary territory which is threatened by deforestation, land conversion, and environmental disasters due to exploitation of natural resources. Now, with the support of advocacy programs, they have succeeded in fighting for the recognition and protection of their customary territory. They have also developed forest-based products such as bamboo shoot sticks, jengkol chips, and cassava chips, creating new economic opportunities for their community.

Dayakng Senta Community is a community of Dayak Krio Indigenous Women in Menyumbung Village, Ketapang Regency. Formed in 2022, this community is home to more than 40 Indigenous Women who continue to maintain local wisdom, the environment, and fight for the rights to their customary territories. However, the threat of deforestation due to the conversion of forests for plantations, mining, and industrial tree plantations has increasingly marginalized Indigenous Peoples.

In the advocacy program, Dayakng Senta prioritizes the role of women in managing customary areas. They have compiled data and profiles of Indigenous Peoples that are submitted for official recognition at the district level. In addition, they conduct workshops to improve women's skills in producing goods with economic value such as bamboo shoot sticks, jengkol chips, and cassava chips. These products provide additional income for the community.

Dayakng Senta's production house is now the center of collective activities of Indigenous Women. This place is used for production, training, and discussions. With assets such as packaging and draining machines, Dayakng Senta has the means to support the development of their products. The existence of this production house provides new enthusiasm for Indigenous Women to continue working and protecting their environment.