Inclusive Agrarian Movement: Strengthening the Role of Women in the Agrarian Reform Movement

Pasundan Farmers Union (SPP) is a farmer community from four districts in West Java, namely Ciamis, Tasikmalaya, Garut, and Pangandaran, which was founded to fight for agrarian rights for farmers. In the SPP membership structure, there is a significant role for women, not only playing a role in daily agricultural activities but also in advocacy and agrarian education activities.

To strengthen women's involvement in the agrarian movement, SPP with the support of the Nusantara Fund Direct Funding initiated the construction project of the ARAS Siti Halimah building as an education and consolidation center for female cadres who are members of the Pasundan Farmers Union (SPP).

The construction of the ARAS Siti Halimah Building was initiated by a joint meeting with members of the Pasundan Farmers Union (SPP) from four districts in West Java, namely Ciamis, Tasikmalaya, Garut, and Pangandaran. The meeting brought together representatives of women, youth, and administrators of each local farmer organization (OTL) to reach an agreement on the procedures for implementing the construction. Each participant in the meeting had the opportunity to express their opinions and ideas, resulting in a joint agreement on the construction plan.

After the planning stage is complete, the first step is site selection and land preparation. The location chosen is in Sindangsari Hamlet, Kalijaya Village, Banjaranyar District, Ciamis Regency. The land preparation stage involves thorough land clearing, carried out by mutual cooperation by SPP members. The preparation activities last for two weeks. Each member takes turns working on various tasks, such as collecting garbage, transporting soil, and compacting the construction area.

Once the land is ready, the physical construction process of the building begins with the installation of the foundation. The uneven contour of the land requires the construction of a foundation 1,5 meters high. The foundation is designed to be able to withstand the weight of the building and ensure long-term safety. The foundation work is carried out by professional builders assisted by community members, while also learning about basic construction techniques.

Construction continues to the stage of installing the walls and roof of the building. Building materials such as bricks, cement, and wood are purchased from local suppliers to support the local economy. At this stage, the walls of the building are gradually erected, followed by the installation of the roof frame. Members who have skills in carpentry play an important role in ensuring the quality of the installation of the walls and roof. They ensure that the walls are built solidly and the roof is installed properly to protect the building from extreme weather. A waterproof coating is applied to the walls and roof to increase the building's resistance to weather changes.

In addition to physical development, preparations were made to develop the ARAS Siti Halimah education curriculum. The curriculum was designed by female agrarian activists who have extensive experience in land and agrarian rights advocacy, with a primary focus on agrarian rights education, advocacy techniques, and sustainable land management. During the curriculum development process, discussions between female SPP cadres continued to ensure that the training materials would cover all aspects relevant to women in the agrarian movement. The curriculum also includes practical training in sustainable agricultural techniques, where participants will learn how to increase agricultural yields without damaging the soil and ecosystem.

SPP also provides demonstration plots to support practical agricultural training outside the classroom. Demonstration plots serve as demonstration areas where participants can test the skills they learn during training, such as environmentally friendly crop cultivation techniques and the use of organic fertilizers. With demonstration plots, training participants have the opportunity to be directly involved in agricultural activities, deepen their understanding of sustainable land management, while gaining practical experience to apply on their respective agricultural lands.

The establishment of the ARAS building by SPP creates a solid foundation for women in fighting for their sovereignty over land and natural resources. Here, women farmers from Ciamis, Tasikmalaya, Garut, and Pangandaran have a place to learn about their rights to land and natural resources. They are trained to play a more active role in maintaining and fighting for agrarian rights and strengthening their independence in managing the land that is the source of life.

In addition, through training and education at ARAS Siti Halimah, women gain valuable agrarian knowledge, from understanding their rights to technical skills to manage land and natural resources efficiently and sustainably. Education provides women with the opportunity to maintain their access to local land and resources, improve their position in the socio-economic structure, and equip them to be more independent in the agrarian sector. With ARAS Siti Halimah, SPP creates an inclusive space, where women are seen not only as supporters but also as leaders and key actors in the agrarian movement.