Empowered or just a metric index? Women in Indonesia's dairy household

Approximately 99% of Indonesian dairy farmers reside on Java Island, where small-scale farms (typically managing fewer than four cows and selling through local cooperatives) dominate dairy production. Despite their size, these farms play a vital role in sustaining rural economies and social structures. Women in dairy households contribute significantly to the dairy labour force, including feeding, watering, milking, managing manure, maintaining animal health, processing, and selling dairy products for income. Drawing on experiences from the Women’s Discussion Group initiatives under the IndoDairy (ACIAR-funded) and 1000 Srikandi (ADB-funded) projects, this case study illustrates how gender-sensitive technologies (i.e. mastitis testing using detergent or ‘surf’ test) and gender-inclusive extension services (i.e. hands-on training for women) enhance household resilience and foster food system sustainability. Analysis using a modified version of IFPRI’s Abbreviated Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (A-WEAI) reveals that women in these households are, on average, as empowered as men. The key drivers of this parity include shared responsibilities in farm management and asset ownership, control over income, and active participation in informal groups, though interestingly, not in dairy-related groups (e.g. cooperatives). A deeper examination of the A-WEAI domains, however, reveals persistent challenges in access to credit. Additionally, women’s participation in dairy cooperatives remains limited due to structural and cultural barriers, restricting involvement in decision-making and hindering access to key services and information. While high-level metrics (like A-WEAI) provide a useful tool to measure progress over time, this case study illustrates the need for nuance in the local context as we strive for climate-resilient and inclusive food systems.