Mira Kaddi Community Based Organization (OMB), Mehona Village together with the Village Government and SHEEP Indonesia Foundation, were involved in the review of the RPJMDes for the period 2021 - 2026 In the review process, all involved were invited to assess the extent to which the village RPJM has accommodated issues and involved women in decision-making related to food protection systems and various village development efforts in general.
The review was conducted after OMB completed the Sorghum Commodity Cultivation Field School on July 25, 2023 at the Mehona Village Office Hall attended by 23 people, including 7 OMB representatives, village government, and community leaders. There are 2 findings and review proposals related to village development, local food and women's participation described as follows:
First, finding sorghum as a substitute for rice as an alternative to local food potential in Mehona village, so it needs to be planned and included in future RPJMDes adjustments related to discussing steps to encourage sorghum cultivation and increase its added value and an alternative to imported rice. In addition to the discussion, there is also a local food training plan with a village budget of Rp. 15,000,000 which was initiated so as to support the food independence of the village community. Another plan is that Mehona Village agrees to publicize that sorghum is a product and potential of Mehona village and is known as village wealth.
Second, Women's Participation in Decision-Making; it was found that women's involvement in the planning and implementation stages of village development was low. Although the percentage of women's attendance in village meetings is quite high (more than 50%), their participation has not yet reached the quality of involvement with active contributions in discussions. This condition is attributed to a lack of knowledge about the contents of the RPJM-Desa document, how to read and understand the working mechanism and implementation of the RPJMDes in the 6-year work phase of the Village Government. There has been no special training for women to understand the RPJMdes and how to channel the proposed needs in favor of children and women.
Both findings were responded to by the village government, which has taken steps to increase women's participation in village development by: Improving Access to Information; The village government plans to reproduce the RPJM-Desa document both physically and in the form of a website so that the community can easily access and understand its contents. In this way, the participation and understanding of the community, especially women, is expected to increase. Furthermore, Open Monthly Meetings; The village government is committed to always open the RPJM-Desa document in every monthly village meeting. In addition to all components of the community and the presence of women as well as those who are marginalized getting used to RPJM discussions and knowing how the agreement process is carried out, this becomes a learning medium for all components of the community. The community is also kept informed, creating opportunities for women to be more actively involved in discussions and participate in decision-making as well as understand and criticize directly every discussion point and provision in the document.
By ensuring better access to information, opening many opportunities for active involvement including opening space for learning and capacity building, it is hoped that Mehona Village will become one of the many villages that will be able to realize what is meant by gender responsive. Not only in the issue of local food independence, but also involvement in village development but also other sectors needed by those who are marginalized.