Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

WOMEN PARTICIPATION ON CONSERVATION, STUDY IN BUNAKEN NATIONAL PARK, NORTH SULAWESI, INDONESIA

Henny A. Dien , Siegfried Berhimpon, Ari B. Rondonuwu, Sri Sondakh, Christian Dien, Johana Harikedua and Meiske S. Salaki

Abstract

Empowering of coastal communities in the Bunaken National Park (BNP) area in the past was temporarily, but recently seems to be encouraged to achieve the goals of the management of National Parks where beside conservation value, will give also an economic value. Various social issues are part of challenge that must be overcome before empowerment can be done. One of the potential in the coastal community empowerment is gender. This study used the method of Participatory Action Research (PAR), where the researcher and the communities observed can work together in identifying problems in the community. The primary data were conducted through Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and by a deep interviews using interview questioner list. While secondary data were gathered through authority offices and literature review. Respondents were 89 housewives. The study took place in northern and the southern part of BNP. Women's participation, especially in remote areas of small islands, is generally limited as a housewife who can only take care of family. Women in the BNP area are mostly work in the private sector (43.82%), and follow by farmer (41.57%), and only 5,6 % work in fisheries sectors. Women education in BNP area is generally at the level of junior secondary school (43%), primary school (36%), high school(14%), no school (5%), colleges (2%). Most of women in the BNP area have the awareness, motivation, and participation in the management of BNP. Based on their income level, women in northern BNP area have a high level of prosperity.