Preliminary Research Summary: A feminist exploration of women-led localisation in the Central Sulawesi response

Central Sulawesi in Indonesia is understood to be a mainly patriarchal society, within which women and girls experience inequalities at multiple levels. For example, women and girls are exposed to different forms of gender-based violence (GBV) and are often prohibited or discouraged from participating and leading in public life and decision-making. In addition to this, harmful interpretations of religion are in some instances used to reinforce and uphold these discriminatory norms. 

However, following the disaster in Central Sulawesi, interviews for this research highlighted a resulting ‘vacuum in power’. Local women and women-led organizations played a leading role in constructing and managing safe spaces, such as Women Friendly Spaces and Women Friendly Tents. They also delivered psychosocial services and trauma healing, which created opportunities for women and children to come together and share their experiences and concerns. 

This is a feminist research study that seeks to understand, within the unique settings of the Central Sulawesi response, the challenges and opportunities for women-led localization efforts.