Project Description
This project aims to scope Indonesian policy and business responses to forced labour and the impacts on vulnerable women and children, especially those exposed to natural disasters, exacerbated by climate change. The project took a particular focus on the risks of rising sea levels to coastal villages, the risk of forced migration that arise from land loss, and the intersection with forced labour. This project is in partnership with the Badan Riset Dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN) and Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP ) in Indonesia, and is supported by the DFAT KONEKSI Knowledge Partnership Platform Australia-Indonesia.
Project Personnel and Beneficiaries
This 2023-2024 project was an international collaboration and joint partnership with the Badan Riset Dan Inovasi Nasional (BRIN), that is the National Research and Innovation Agency in Indonesia, and Universitas Diponegoro (UNDIP) in Indonesia. The team also worked closely with two non-government organisations: IKUPI and PATTIRO. All partners engaged in multi method data gathering, including surveys, policy scoping, interviews and round tables across four regions: Jakarta, Demak, Pekalongan, and Semarang. Results and recommendations respond to the United Nations 2030 Agenda, and have been presented in late 2024 through stakeholder forums. The project has been funded and supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade KONEKSI Knowledge Partnership Platform Australia-Indonesia.
Outcomes to Date
This project found that climate change places women and children at risk of exploitation and abuse and increases poverty. Women were being compelled to work in conditions of poor health standards, and were underpaid, thereby perpetuating poverty. The impacts of climate change were exacerbated by gender inequality. Children’s education was disrupted due to climate change and related poverty, with children working far more than current guidelines, with indication of child forced labour. The impacts of climate change on physical and mental health were far reaching, with children having limited access to safe areas for play. Two stakeholder forums were held to discuss these along with other findings, and through collaboration priority responses were identified which require policy and legislation development, including to prevent exploitation, ensure access to education for children, continued infrastructure development, better access to healthcare, and social support funding.
Project Significance
This 2023-2024 Indonesian-Australian collaboration examined policy and business responses to compelled labour and the impacts on vulnerable women and children, especially those exposed to natural disasters, exacerbated by climate change. It focused on the risks of rising sea levels, land subsidence, and tidal/sea inundation to coastal villages, the risk of forced migration that arises from land loss, and the intersection with compelled labour.
This collaboration is important for understanding and taking action as it pertains to gender equity (SDG 13), climate action and climate change (SDG 13), and forced labour to ensure decent work and economic growth (SDG 8). It has provided opportunities for researchers, business leaders, policy makers and community members to proactively collaborate with different stakeholders to undertake research and activities to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal