Keterangan: Diskusi bertajuk “Perjuangan Perempuan Pembela Tanah Air” yang diselenggarakan secara online pada Jumat (20/06/2025), oleh Eco Bhinneka Muhammadiyah berkolaborasi dengan Himpunan Difabel Muhammadiyah (HIDIMU)
Jakarta, June 20, 2025 — In preparation for the upcoming Walk for Peace and Climate Justice agenda, Eco Bhinneka Muhammadiyah organized the second public discussion titled “The Struggle of Women Defending the Homeland”. This discussion aimed to explore the connection between women and the homeland, the layered challenges faced by women and persons with disabilities, as well as their strategic roles in driving social change.
The event featured speakers Dati Fatimah (Gender Researcher and Consultant) and Nurhayati Ratna Sari Dewi (Third Secretary of the Muhammadiyah Difable Association/HIDIMU Central), with Pritty Dwi Arlista from HIDIMU serving as moderator.
In her presentation, Dati Fatimah invited participants to reflect on the spirit of Iduladha, particularly the story of Siti Hajar as a symbol of the struggle to preserve life. “Siti Hajar’s jihad is a jihad to protect life, and this is highly relevant to today’s women fighting the climate crisis,” she explained.
Dati further explained that this also reflects religion’s recognition of the importance of jihad to preserve life. “This form of jihad includes simple, everyday actions such as ensuring food and water for one’s family. Similar perspectives can be found across many religions and belief systems,” Dati stated.
Keterangan: Dati Fatimah (Peneliti dan Konsultan Gender) menegaskan bahwa iklim yang sama bisa berbeda dampaknya bagi lak-laki dan perempuan karena norma sosial gender yang ada.
According to Dati, climate change is not merely an environmental issue but also a matter of social justice and the sustainability of life, especially for vulnerable groups. She cited data from the World Meteorological Organization showing that over 184,000 people died due to extreme weather events between 2010 and 2019.In Indonesia, disasters such as floods, forest fires, and extreme weather remain the most frequent occurrences up to 2024. However, Dati emphasized that the impacts are uneven. “Women and persons with disabilities face significantly greater vulnerabilities,” she said.
Dati also shared findings from her 2018 research in Tambaklorok and Ogan Komering Ilir, which revealed that women bear multiple burdens managing food consumption, water, energy, and family finances amid the climate crisis. She stressed the importance of strengthening youth participation, especially Generation Z, who are increasingly aware of environmentally friendly consumption, to promote more just and participatory climate activism.
Meanwhile, Nurhayati Ratna Sari Dewi highlighted that women with disabilities often face double discrimination that hinders their participation in social and economic life. She began by explaining the definition of persons with disabilities based on Law No. 8 of 2016, which describes individuals who experience long-term physical, intellectual, mental, and/or sensory limitations that cause barriers to full and effective participation in society.
Keterangan: Nurhayati Ratna Sari Dewi (Sekretaris III Himpunan Difabel Muhammadiyah/HIDIMU Pusat) menyampaikan bahwa perempuan penyandang disabilitas kerap menghadapi diskriminasi ganda yang menghambat partisipasi mereka dalam kehidupan sosial dan ekonomi.
“Women with disabilities frequently face layered challenges due to their dual identities. We not only encounter stigma as women but also as persons with disabilities. This severely restricts our access to employment, education, and public spaces,” Nurhayati stated.
She added that disabilities come in many forms. “Disabilities vary widely ranging from physical, intellectual, mental, to sensory. However, psychosocial disabilities often go unnoticed and are rarely accommodated in workplaces or public services,” she revealed.
Nurhayati emphasized the need to create disability-friendly work environments. “We need tangible support such as job training accompanied by psychosocial assistance, work-from-home systems, and flexible working hours. These are inclusive and realistic accommodations,” she added.
She also stressed the importance of accessible public transportation. “Accessible public transport not only facilitates mobility but also signifies the state’s presence for all citizens, including us persons with disabilities. Expanding disability-friendly transportation will further open spaces for our participation in society,” Nurhayati affirmed.
Women and persons with disabilities, despite the challenges they face, stand as guardians of life—preserving land and water through everyday resilience that often goes unnoticed. In confronting the climate crisis, they not only survive but also drive just and inclusive social change for a sustainable future.
The event was attended by 30 participants from various interfaith youth organizations and disability communities. One week after this meeting, participants will engage in a socialization session on interacting with disability groups, followed by the Walk for Peace and Climate Justice event the subsequent week.
This discussion is also part of the SMILE program (Strengthening Youth Multifaith Leader Initiative on Climate Justice through Ecofeminism), an initiative by Eco Bhinneka Muhammadiyah to strengthen the capacity of interfaith youth leaders in integrating spiritual values, social justice, and environmental sustainability.
About the SMILE Program – Eco Bhinneka Muhammadiyah
Eco Bhinneka Muhammadiyah is currently implementing the SMILE Program (Strengthening Youth Multifaith Leader Initiative on Climate Justice through Ecofeminism), a leadership initiative that empowers interfaith youth to address the climate crisis through the lens of gender justice and ecofeminism. The program encourages the active participation of young people—especially women and persons with disabilities—in building awareness, knowledge, and tangible actions in climate resilience and advocacy. One of its key implementations is based in the Jakarta Special Region. Follow Eco Bhinneka Muhammadiyah through ecobhinnekamuhammadiyah.org and on Instagram @ecobhinneka.
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