Maintaining Boundaries, Maintaining Inclusion: Mainstreaming GEDSI in Village Governance in Talaud Islands Regency

This study aims to analyze the implementation of the principles of Gender Equality, Disability, and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) in village governance and formulate inclusive policy strategies. Talaud Islands Regency, as Indonesia's strategic border area, faces development challenges that are not only related to infrastructure limitations but also the marginalization of vulnerable groups, including women, people with disabilities, the elderly, and indigenous peoples. This study employs a qualitative method with a case study approach, incorporating in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), and literature reviews. The results of the study show that, although national regulations through the Village SDGs have made GEDSI a condition for disbursing village funds, its implementation remains administrative and symbolic. Structural barriers, including the limited capacity of village apparatus, cultural barriers such as patriarchal domination and social stigma, and economic obstacles like fund allocation that prioritizes physical development, hinder the internalization of the principle of inclusion. However, there are progressive practices in some villages that have begun to create substantive participation spaces for vulnerable groups through women's forums, economic empowerment programs, and capacity-building initiatives for village officials. This research underscores the significance of strategies to bolster the institutional capacity of villages and local actors, thereby fostering fair, equitable, and sustainable village governance in border areas.