Women form firefighting squad to protect Indonesian Borneo
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In Indonesian Borneo, 146 women aged 20 to 58 formed the Power of Mama in 2022 to fight increasingly frequent and dangerous fires.
The group, based in 10 villages in West Kalimantan, received training from the NGO YIARI in firefighting techniques, drone operation, and community outreach. These volunteers patrol areas at high risk of fire from 10am to 4pm, reporting hotspots to the Manggala Agni forestry brigade and working to educate community members about the dangers of slash-and-burn land clearing.
Initially, the women faced resistance and skepticism from men in their villages who questioned their role in traditionally male work. However, the Power of Mama has since gained acceptance and now collaborates with the community. Members focus on persuading people to avoid burning land, explaining how the smoke impacts families and children. This year, the team faces a particularly difficult challenge as 57,081.33 hectares have already burned in Kalimantan, and a “super” El Niño weather pattern threatens to worsen conditions.
The fires are especially dangerous on peatland, where they can burn underground for weeks, and a lack of rain since late June has created a water shortage. Despite these obstacles, the Power of Mama continues to patrol, extinguish fires, and advocate for environmental conservation, recently winning the Indonesian Clean Air Championship in 2023.
