One woman’s journey to empowering women in forestry, Java, Indonesia

In Central Java’s Kostajasa Community Forest, Westhi Wigaringtyas, known as Wiga, has played a key role in promoting sustainable forestry and gender inclusion. In a traditionally male-dominated sector, Wiga challenged entrenched norms by championing women’s leadership in forest management. Her efforts helped transform Kostajasa into a certified, community-led model of inclusive governance, where women actively contribute to ecological monitoring, biodiversity conservation, and income-generating activities. Through interviews and contextual analysis, this paper explores how Wiga’s leadership reflects the broader role of gender equity in social forestry. Her story demonstrates that empowering women strengthens both environmental sustainability and community resilience. By integrating women into forestry decision-making, communities like Kostajasa are reshaping conservation practices and unlocking new pathways for inclusive development. Wiga’s journey is a reminder that gender equality is not just a goal, but a driving force for climate action and transformative change.