Women’s Contributions to Mangrove Ecosystems: Indigenous Governance, Exploitation Practices, and Adaptation Strategies in Enggros and Tobati, Youtefa Bay

¹ University of Papua, Indonesia
² University of Queensland, Australia

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Mangrove ecosystems in Youtefa Bay, Jayapura, function not only as ecological buffers but also as socio-cultural spaces that sustain Indigenous livelihoods, particularly for women. This study aimed to examine the roles of Indigenous women in mangrove utilization, customary governance, and adaptation strategies in Enggros and Tobati villages. A qualitative ethnographic case study approach was applied, using in-depth interviews, focus group discussions (FGD), participant observation, and document analysis involving 25 informants. The findings reveal that women are central actors in mangrove management, locally recognized as women's forests through shellfish harvesting, social cohesion, and intergenerational knowledge transmission. Distinct patterns of mangrove use were identified, with Enggros showing collective semi-commercial practices and Tobati emphasizing subsistence and household food security. However, these customary systems are increasingly challenged by infrastructure development, pollution, and declining knowledge transfers. This study recommends strengthening gender-sensitive mangrove governance by formally recognizing Indigenous women's ecological knowledge and integrating customary institutions into coastal management policies to ensure ecological sustainability and social equity.