The Faculty of Agriculture (Faperta) of Hasanuddin University held a Diaspora Webinar entitled “Gender, Disaster and Food Resilience”. The activity presented a speaker, Siti Kusujiarti, Ph.D. (Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociology/Anthropology, Warren Wilson College). The webinar took place virtually through the Zoom meeting application on Friday (17/09).
Siti Kusujiarti, Ph.D., presented a topic related to gender, disasters, and food security during the pandemic. The disasters are mainly caused by many things, such as natural conditions, technological failures, human behaviour, and even complex social and technological combinations. These problems need to be globally acknowledged by people all around the world.
The current pandemic conditions faced by the world are problems that impact material losses, the economy, and the environment. In dealing with a pandemic, resources are needed that depend on the social and cultural roles of the community.
“Our current role is how we can participate in getting used to the discipline of implementing health protocols as a positive attitude that is carried out during the pandemic period,” explained Prof. Siti.
Furthermore, Prof. Siti explained that the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic was the widening of social inequality and gap that occurred in community groups, such as those who continue to work and are vulnerable to virus transmission. This relates to the policy that some parties have regarding the risk of facing the challenges of a pandemic.
“This condition certainly affects food security to be able to survive and recover from the disruption of the pandemic. Many challenges are faced during the recovery period. The availability of food for all levels of society must be a special concern,” added Prof. Siti.
The problems in the agricultural sector have become a serious issue during the pandemic because the food system covers various aspects of the process from production, distribution to consumption. Therefore, the problem affects the price of food needs.
Gender is also a factor of social vulnerability. This usually affects the interests of women who receive less attention in dealing with disasters. Women are currently facing an increase in domestic violence and losing their jobs. This makes women have to stay at home a lot to take care of their children.
The activities guided by Dr. Ir. Novaty Eny Dungga, MP., (Vice Dean 3 of the Faculty of Agriculture) as a moderator was attended by approximately 100 participants.
Kumara Tungga Dewa, S.S.
Editor : Ishaq Rahman, AMIPR
