PALMOILMAGAZINE, SAMARINDA — The Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI) has reaffirmed its commitment to gender empowerment within the palm oil industry through a collaboration with Solidaridad, a Netherlands-based NGO known for its work with smallholders and farm laborers. Together, they launched the PowerRRR Project, an initiative aimed at strengthening the capacity and welfare of women in the palm oil ecosystem.
The project officially commenced with a Kick-off Meeting on October 23, 2025, in Samarinda, East Kalimantan. Targeting 3,500 women—including smallholder farmers and plantation workers—the program will run until the end of 2026, beginning in Kutai Timur and Paser Regencies.
Participants will receive comprehensive training on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), financial literacy, occupational health and safety (OHS), and childcare awareness. This holistic approach aims to improve the overall well-being of women in the palm oil value chain and strengthen rural socio-economic resilience.
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“Women are the backbone of Indonesia’s palm oil industry. They contribute across all levels—from corporate offices to smallholder farms,” said Sumarjono Saragih, GAPKI’s Head of Human Resource Development, in an official statement received by Palmoilmagazine.com on Friday (October 24, 2025).
He emphasized that empowering women is integral to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the palm oil sector.
The initiative has also gained support from the Deputy Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Veronica Tan, following her meeting with GAPKI and Solidaridad representatives in Jakarta on October 2, 2025. Labor unions such as JAPBUSI and JAGA SAWITAN have also joined the collaboration, underscoring a multi-stakeholder commitment between business, workers, and civil society.
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Beyond meeting sustainability standards and legal compliance, the PowerRRR Project reflects the industry’s broader contribution to Indonesia’s Golden Vision 2045 and aligns with the Asta Cita agenda of the Prabowo–Gibran administration, emphasizing prosperity starting from rural communities.
As more women gain access to training, rights protection, and leadership opportunities, Indonesia’s palm oil industry continues to evolve—not only as a key driver of economic growth but also as a model for inclusivity and social equity. (P2)
