Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta (UAJY) continues to extend its impact beyond campus walls bringing global collaboration to local communities and ensuring that voices often unheard are finally recognized.
In partnership with the University of Huddersfield (UK), The Institute of Resource Governance and Social Change (IRGSC), and SOPAN Sumba, UAJY held the “Workshop on Strengthening Rural Women’s Participation in Sustainable Economic Policy-Making” on February 11 – 12, 2026, in Waingapu, East Sumba.
More than just a workshop, this gathering became a meaningful space where indigenous women could speak openly about their realities sharing challenges, hopes, and ideas directly with local policymakers. From limited access to clean water due to shorter rainy seasons, to the struggles of sustaining agriculture and family livelihoods, their stories revealed the real face of climate change.
“These women are the first to feel the impact of the climate crisis in their homes, in their fields, and in their daily lives. Yet too often, they are left out of decision-making,” shared Prof. Gregoria Arum Yudarwati from UAJY.
Amid these challenges, what stood out most was not only the problems, but also the strength and ideas of the women themselves. They spoke about local resources, economic potential, and practical solutions rooted in their own environment, ideas that deserve to be heard and supported.
Encouragingly, the local government responded with strong commitment. Representatives of indigenous women were invited to take part in the Regional Development Planning Forum (Musrenbang), marking an important step toward more inclusive policy-making.
Through this initiative, UAJY reaffirms its role as a university that not only advances knowledge, but also creates real impact, connecting global research with local realities, and turning voices into action.
Source: UAJY
