Pulau-Pulau Batu Women, South Nias: Gender Balance Analysis in Fisherman Family Economic Activities
Nurbani Padang, Arlina

University of Sumatera Utara

Abstract

Batu Islands, South Nias Regency has considerable natural resource potential because it is an archipelago that is rich in marine natural resources. Attention to the social potential of the community that manages these natural resources in a sustainable manner is also needed. Fishermen who should be able to manage and utilize natural resources are actually still in poverty. Women fishermen play an important role in the economic activities of fishermen households. Therefore, this study was conducted to find out how the division of labor in fishing households on the islands of Batu, and how the balance of gender in the families of fishermen in Batu Islands, South Nias Regency. This research is a descriptive study, using qualitative analysis. The results showed that women in Mahang Island played an active role in the familys economy by becoming fishermen seeking Kimo shells. The level of education is still relatively low, affecting the mindset especially in making family economic management decisions. Gender balance occurs in women who play a big role in the family economy. Customary and cultural values that tend to be patriarchal, in the implementation of customary activities are still influential, but in womens economic activities depend on the situation and condition of the family. The activities of fishermens wives in the field of fisheries are selling catches from her husband, processing salted fish, making processed food from fish which are then sold on the market. While coastal role activities outside the fisheries sector are opening food stalls, becoming part-time traders, gardeners, cake makers, and selling cakes.

Keywords: gender balance, economy, family, fishermen

Topic: Gender Studies