On KIARA’s current work
KIARA still does advocacy. The Indonesian government is focusing on the Blue Economy, with emphasis on massive expansion of production from marine resources, affecting the community. We have also been working on the climate crisis, especially as it relates to the sinking and drowning villages in central Java and many other parts of Indonesia. The climate crisis has led to decreased fish capture, hitting the economics and livelihoods of fishers. It is getting worse.

On the differential impact of climate change on women facing socioeconomic difficulties
Over the past decade, climate change has already affected Indonesia’s fisherfolk. It has worsened over the past five years. The fishers talk of losing their customary knowledge in discerning weather conditions and tides; they cannot ‘smell’ the ocean now. Due to changes in the ecosystem, they now have to go farther out to sea to fish. They face a lot of issues related to poverty. Children in coastal communities get forced into early marriages. Women have the double burden of earning and managing the household, ensuring nutrition and education for their children. Many fishing families are trapped in debt. Flooding from the sea drowns all the facilities. Migration has also been affected.