Women's Role in Safeguarding Ecological Resilience and AI Literacy

Jakarta Kartininews.com – The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) has emphasized that ecological resilience is a vital foundation for securing the nation’s future amid the challenges of climate change and global digital transformation.

Sri Handayaningsih, Director of Soil Conservation Techniques and Forest Reclamation at Kemenhut, stated that women hold a strategic position in maintaining environmental resilience because they are directly involved in managing family food supplies, water, household energy, and community-based economies.

“Ecological resilience is an essential foundation for the nation’s future. Women have a strategic position because they are directly involved in managing family food, water, household energy, and community-based economies,” Sri said in her statement regarding the National Forum of Indonesian Women titled “Women and National Resilience,” on Sunday (10/5/2026).

She explained that forestry and environmental issues are closely linked to the national development agenda outlined in President Prabowo Subianto’s Asta Cita, particularly in supporting food, energy, and water self-sufficiency, as well as green and blue economies.

The Ministry of Forestry assesses that women also make significant contributions to watershed (DAS) management, forest and land rehabilitation, and the development of non-timber forest products (NTFPs) such as coffee, honey, essential oils, rattan, and natural fibers. These products can boost community economies without harming forest sustainability.

“All land areas are divided into watersheds. Therefore, protecting watersheds means protecting the sustainability of all sectors of life,” she stressed.

In addition to environmental issues, the forum also highlighted women’s preparedness in facing digital technology advancements and artificial intelligence (AI).

Jully Tjindrawan, CEO of Robotic Explorer, said women must play an important role in strengthening national digital literacy because they serve as the primary educators in the family.

“Women are the main educators in the family. Therefore, Indonesian women must be digitally literate, understand AI, and be able to act as agents of change in facing technological developments,” Jully said.

She noted that the digital era brings serious challenges, including the spread of hoaxes, cyberbullying, personal data exploitation, and exposure of children to negative content.

On the other hand, digital technology and AI are seen as opening major opportunities for women to grow in education, digital entrepreneurship, technology startups, social innovation, and transformative leadership.

The National Forum of Indonesian Women believes that strengthening women’s roles in both environmental and technological fields must go hand in hand. This will help create a generation that is ecologically resilient, digitally intelligent, and capable of maintaining national resilience amid global changes.