LocationsMuhammad Yusuf: Championing Gender Equality in Peatland and Mangrove Restoration
December 4, 2024
Muhammad Yusuf, Head of the Gender Mainstreaming Task Force for Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM)
Since becoming the Head of the Gender Mainstreaming Task Force for Peatland and Mangrove Restoration Agency (BRGM) in 2022, Muhammad Yusuf has steadfastly advocated for gender inclusivity in environmental restoration. Yusuf has led efforts to integrate gender-sensitive approaches into peatland restoration and mangrove rehabilitation projects across Indonesia, ensuring that women and vulnerable groups are not just participants but active decision-makers.
Yusuf believes that gender equality is essential for sustainable environmental restoration. “When ecosystems like peatlands and mangroves are degraded, women and vulnerable groups often bear the brunt of the impact, especially in lower-income communities,” he explains. Recognizing this, BRGM has placed women and vulnerable groups at the center of restoration initiatives, transforming them from beneficiaries into key stakeholders.
One notable example is the involvement of women in sustainable livelihoods. In South Kalimantan, women’s groups have leveraged endemic peatland plants like purun to create crafts that generate income while preserving the ecosystem. Similarly, in Sumatra, women actively participate in mangrove seedling cultivation, contributing both to environmental recovery and household welfare.
Building Gender-Responsive Systems
Under Yusuf’s leadership, BRGM has developed a Gender Mainstreaming Action Plan and established a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system. These initiatives, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), ensure that gender equality is systematically integrated into every stage of restoration efforts—from planning and policy formulation to implementation.
Yusuf with the team of BRGM who promote gender champions at the grassroots level, recognizing individuals who advocate for inclusivity in their communities.
“We’ve worked to document and disseminate best practices,” Yusuf shares, referencing initiatives like Penjaga Lahan Basah (Wetland Guardians), a publication highlighting the contributions of women and marginalized groups in ecological preservation. Additionally, BRGM promotes gender champions at the grassroots level, recognizing individuals who advocate for inclusivity in their communities.
Promoting gender equality in a field historically dominated by technical and ecological considerations is not without challenges. Yusuf cites the difficulty of internalizing gender perspectives within all levels of BRGM operations and among its partners. “The real test is ensuring that gender equality informs everything—from planning and policy to on-the-ground activities,” he notes.
Documentation remains another hurdle. While there are countless examples of women and vulnerable groups contributing to ecosystem restoration, these stories often go undocumented. “Capturing these contributions is crucial to showcasing their value and inspiring broader adoption,” Yusuf emphasizes.
For Yusuf, creating a safe and inclusive environment for women in restoration efforts is paramount. “We must ensure that policies and programs not only invite participation but also provide access to decision-making roles,” he asserts. This includes fostering a culture of respect, tolerance, and equality within BRGM and its partner organizations.
Looking ahead, Yusuf envisions a restoration framework where gender equality is not an afterthought but a foundational principle. “Sustainable restoration requires that all voices, especially those of women and marginalized groups, are heard and valued,” he says.
Through his leadership, Muhammad Yusuf has demonstrated that ecological restoration and social equity go hand in hand. By embedding gender equality into BRGM’s work, he is helping to build a future where restored ecosystems and empowered communities thrive together.