Susan Herawati is Secretary General of The People’s Coalition for Fisheries Justice (KIARA). Her educational background is in English Literature, She previously worked at the Irish Red Cross in Aceh and on the issue of fisherfolk (both men and women) in Indonesia.

Susan's current work focuses on advocacy for fisherfolk to achieve the fulfillment of their constitutional rights by the state. She also works on issues related to recognition of the fisherwomen identity, and managing advocacy for fisherwomen in reclaiming their own space that should be acknowledged by the state, as well as on preserving the livelihood of fisherfolk.

IVLP Impact Award Project: Strengthening Indonesia's Fisherwomen Movement Through Solidarity in Facing the Climate Crisis

This project promoted and strengthened the solidarity movement for fisherwomen who are facing the climate crisis. The project brought together 50 fisherwomen from the communities of Tambak Polo and Timbulsloko in Central Java to address climate change challenges and facilitate solutions to the economic hardships resulting from them. Women from Tambak Polo shared about the fisherwomen cooperative that they formed in recent years as a means of ensuring financial independence, which is now being explored by the fisherwomen of Timbulsloko. As a result of the project’s networking and awareness raising activities, project participants are looking into planting mangroves as a preventative measure for flood mitigation, as well as other measures to help curb the effects of climate change.

"I have learned a lot from the village meetings that have been held so far: that I am not alone, there are other great women who are struggling for their families and still protecting their sea." - Project Participant

IVLP Exchange Experience 

Susan participated in the IVLP Project Protecting Natural Resources at Maritime Borders, organized by the U.S. Department of State and Meridian International Center in partnership with the World Affairs Council of South Texas, U.S. Department of State, Puerto Rico, the World Trade Center Institute, and the Pacific & Asian Affairs Council.

US Communities Visited

Washington, DC; Honolulu, HI; Baltimore, MD; San Juan, PR; Corpus Christi, TX

"I believe the... genuine voices of [the] community from coastal village[s] will provide a better understanding about what fisherwomen [are] dealing with every day." - Susan Herawati

Country: Indonesia 

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