BMW: Women at the heart of Sumatra forest protection

Munich, Germany – BMW Group is highlighting the role of indigenous women in its project with Pirelli and environmental group BirdLife to protect the Indonesian ecosystem.

Commenting on the ‘empowerment’ initiative in Hutan Harapan, which means Forest of Hope, BMW said “the future of Indonesia’s tropical forest needs more than hope alone.

“It needs women like Bi Teguh, who work day in, day out to protect species and preserve the rainforest on Sumatra.”

According to the automotive manufacturer, the rainforest is threatened by intensive exploitation, linked in particular to palm oil production.

“The more forest areas are burnt and destroyed, the more difficult life becomes for us. We need the forest to collect resin, rattan palms and vegetables, and to fish,” said Teguh in a 1 April BMW release.

“If the forest disappears, where on earth will we live?”  asked Teguh, who belongs to the indigenous Batin Sembilan group, which calls the rainforest home.

In response, BMW, Pirelli and the BirdLife NGO recently launched a three-year programme to improve the living conditions of the indigenous people.

The partners also aim “to protect biodiversity in the tropical forests and to invest in the sustainable production of natural rubber – in-line with the goals of the Global Platform for Sustainable Natural Rubber.

According to BMW, the focus is also on securing the livelihood of the indigenous people who live in and depend on the forests.

The joint project is, therefore, now concentrating on improving the living conditions of women who live and work in the Hutan Harapan forest.

“The local women play a central role in the rainforest’s future: they work locally to protect the environment and at the same time support the development of the local community,” said BMW.

It as important, it added, that these women are able to develop new skills – that new educational and work opportunities are opened up for them so that they can take a prominent position in the village institutions.

Hence the need to involve for more women like Bi Teguh, who are in a position to work for the protection and development of Hutan Harapan.

“The programme will therefore also address issues such as leadership skills, the climate crisis and social inclusion,” said BMW, noting that young women in particular will be introduced to new opportunities.

The women’s empowerment projects in the Hutan Harapan forest currently involve 60 women and 20 girls, supervised by a team of experts, according to BWM.

The programme starts with sharing common experiences and raising awareness of the fact that women can play a key role in community and forest conservation. It then provides participants with the skills and knowledge needed to make decisions.

Importantly, the programme also works to ensure that household income and food security is improved, starting from projects that are already active such as establishing home gardens.