The True Agrarian Reform Academy (ARAS) has started an educational initiative for female cadres fighting for the organization at the site level. One of them is holding ARAS for women cadres together with the Pasundan Farmers Union (SPP) with the theme "Cadreisation and Strengthening the Capacity of Women as True Agrarian Reform Fighters". The education took place in Kalijaya Village, Banjaranyar District, Ciamis Regency. To be precise, at the Kalijaya OTL Secretariat, one of SPP's farming bases.
SPP currently has 12.063 farming households with 9.322 hectares of cultivation spread across four districts. SPP female cadres have played an active role in the organization's struggle for the last 22 years. Through union policy, they currently have the same rights as men in terms of land cultivation, namely that each person controls 0,3-0,5 hectares of land.
The process of organizing the True Agrarian Reform Academy (ARAS) Education was carried out with the attendance of 54 participants who were representatives of SPP women in 4 regencies in West Java. Education was carried out from 26 to 28 December 2022. During the education process, it was facilitated by the person in charge of the program, KPA West Java region and the SPP committee for 4 districts.
Implementation of ARAS education is carried out for 3 consecutive days. A total of 9 sources were involved including several agrarian experts in KPA and networking. The educational methods used are lectures, Q&A discussions, group discussions, role playing.
During the implementation of the SPP Women's ARAS, several challenges were encountered. First, the significance of the influence of support and encouragement, especially from the family. The necessary approach is taken to encourage girls to get the support they need to be able to participate in education.
The second challenge is that the participants who take part in education are very diverse, in terms of age and level of education. So, to ensure that the material is well absorbed, adjustments and simplification of delivery to the participants are made. Apart from that, during education, to overcome boredom due to the density of the material, the facilitator uses methods ice breaker, and other creative activities.
In the educational space of the True Agrarian Reform Academy (ARAS), female SPP cadres learn and discuss various theories and concepts of agrarian reform based on the people's initiative; about agrarian struggles and problems; about gender equality and justice; and regarding organization, especially regarding the organization of the people's farmer union movement; and the role of women farmers in village development.
With the knowledge, understanding, and awareness built in ARAS Perempuan, it is hoped that it will continue to produce strong and resilient female cadres who will later become the forerunners of the women's movement of RA fighters in West Java.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
| Our program will include: | True Agrarian Reform Academy (ARAS) for female cadres of SPP members in encouraging the leadership of the Women's Agrarian Reform Movement |
| Activity: | ARAS education for SPP female cadres |
| Location: | Kalijaya Village, Banjaranyar District, Ciamis Regency |
| Implementation: | 26 – 28 December 2022 |
| Indigenous Peoples & Local Communities: | Local Farmers Organization – OTL, SPP 4 Districts |
| keyword: | Women Farmers; Local Farmers Organization, True Agrarian Reform; Capacity Strengthening |
| Direct Funding | IDR 52.000.000,- |
| Nusantara Fund Long Term Targets: | Establishment of “People's Education” centers which function to revitalize, restore, innovate and collaborate to increase the capacity, quality of knowledge and skills of IPLCs in defending, protecting and managing their land, territory and resources. |