Critical Review

Name / NRP : Lintang Sekar Kedaton Barnad / 08211840000018

Subject : Land Use Development – EMI (Q)

Journal : Land use change and shifts in gender roles in central Sumatra, Indonesia

Author : G.B. Villamor, R. Akiefnawati, M. Van Noordwijk, F. Desrianti and U. Pradhan

Year : 2015
Source : ResearchGate

Land use change and shifts in gender roles in central Sumatra, Indonesia is an interesting
topic to discuss. Why? Some of us even think whether is there really a connection between gender
and land use change. Coupled with the fact that land use change in Sumatra keep happening, this
journal is getting interesting with the issue of gender equality is being discussed throughout the
world. For the research, this journal analyzed the data with several ways to find out the results that
can answer the two hypotheses outlined.

The journal opens with an introduction to culture in Sumatra. As there are three categories
of activities, namely: reproductive, productive work and social community. With the role of
productive work as the main topic of this journal discussion. Before this journal discusses further
on the topic, the author also describes two agricultural systems carried out in the study area. The
two systems are traditional systems and non-traditional systems. In the traditional system, the
activities carried out are rice farming and rubber agroforestry. This activity is commonly found in
the uplands of the study area. Whereas in the nontraditional system, land shifts began from rice
farming and rubber agroforestry to monoculture rubber and oil plam plantations. These system
activities mostly occur in the lowlands of the study area. After knowing the condition of the study
area, the authors conducted an analysis using four methods, namely land use overlay using ArcGIS,
Land use intensity analysis, transition level analysis and Fisher's exact. The data used are land use
maps and survey results of 202 respondents (50% female and 50% male). The study was conducted
in Bungo district with the following hypotheses: (H1) Men and women have similar opinions with
regards to productive roles by gender across the elevation gradient. (H2) Men and women have
similar opinions about whether productive roles are performed jointly or separately / individually.
From the results of correlation analysis using Fisher's exact, both of these hypotheses were
rejected. However, in the first hypothesis, based on survey data of men and women in the lowlands
the majority have the same opinion about land management and gender shifts. In conclusion, land
use change and shifts in gender roles in central Sumatra, Indonesia has a connection. Land use
change causes a shifting gender roles as explained before in the discussion of first hypothesis.

Overall, this journal has been equipped with data and analysis that is very complete so that
output is a concrete statement. In addition, the author also strengthens his arguments with similar
research results. The description of the conditions of the study area has also been able to provide
an overview of the situation in the study area so that the reader can better understand the topic
being discussed. This journal gives readers an idea that land changes can also change patterns of
activities that have been divided according to gender. In other words also change the social culture
of an area. This journal also challenge others researchers to explore more about land use and gender
roles because there are many not-clear statement about land use and gender roles.

This journal has a title that is too general. Both in terms of the type of land use and study
area. In terms of the type of land use, the case taken is only a case of agriculture. This agricultural
case may not necessarily represent cases of land use in various types of land use. Therefore it is
better to detail the intended land use, namely agricultural aspects. In the study area, the authors
use central Sumatra as the title. But can this journal truly represent the condition of the central
island of Sumatra? To be able to represent a condition, there needs to be a sampling technique.
The sampling technique itself is a way to determine the number of samples in accordance with the
sample size that will be used as the actual data source, taking into account the characteristics and
population distribution in order to obtain a representative sample (Margono, 2004). Therefore, the
author can describe how the sample can represent the condition of central Sumatra with sampling
techniques such as purposive samples etc.

As the authors have said, this journal becomes more deflating in discussing the role of
women in production due to the lack of prior research data. This results in a lack of information
about how men play a role in land use change and shifting. In the conclusion section, the author
also does not explain how the role of men. Is it in accordance with the hypothesis that was rejected
or there are arguments that support the hypothesis. Or is it possible that a shift in gender roles in
women will automatically shift men's roles? This should need to be deepened so that the two
variables used really get an equal discussion.

In the introduction, the authors write to find out how gender equality and equity in this
agric-structural system. According to Quisumbing et al. (2001), gender equity and land use
efficiency are mirrored in the division of labor and inheritance systems of central Sumatra. Male
dominated rubber agroforestry systems are passed from fathers to their sons while women who are
responsible for rice fields will pass them to their daughters. In my opinion, this statement from
Quisumbing can actually be used as a benchmark for gender equity and land use efficiency. The
author can assess the existence of a shift in gender roles seen from the quote. In the quote it is
written that equity and land use efficiency can be seen from the labor and inheritance system, but
based on the results of the author's analysis, labor and inheritance are no longer benchmarks of
equity and land use efficiency because this culture is starting to be abandoned by people and
becoming an individual system. The authors could compare the quote from Quisumbing (2001)
with existing condition in study area.
In another perspective, according to Roddick (1998). Neutrally the inclusion of certain
gender in an activity is actually more adapted to the needs (necessity) of the activity and not solely
with consideration of equality (equity). The author's argument about gender shifts will be stronger
if it is supported by a description of the causes of how women can intervene to take over land
management which is usually done by men. This will clarify both the position and condition of
men and women in land management in central Sumatra. This method will also be more accepted
because gender equality should be seen from two perspectives both from the perspective of women
and men.

So in conclusion, this journal is quite easy to understand and also have many concrit
statements from the analysis.But in my perspective, I am not too satisfied with the conclusion from
the author because there are still unclear statements due to lack of previous research on this topic.
On the future, I hope that there will be more researchers discussing about land use and gender roles
because as we can see, now people starts concern about this issue especially in planning.