Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies (JSSHRS)

Gender Relations in Oil Palm Development: Access, Control, Participation, And Benefits Among Farming Households

Elvawati, Melia, Yenni, Irwan, Irwan, Zulfa, Zulfa, Agustini, Bella, Putri, Renita Eka

13 July 2026 · Vol. 2, Issue 7, pp. 1122-1128

DOI: 10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E7/2026-22

Abstract

The development of the palm oil industry is not just about increasing farmers’ incomes. Other aspects are changing as well, such as gender relations within their households. This study aims to explore gender relations in greater depth, using the Harvard Gender Analysis Framework. It focuses on access, control, participation, and the benefits experienced by each member of oil palm farming households. This study used a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods. The results showed that women in oil palm farming households are highly active in reproductive matters, with up to 90% participating. They are also involved in productive activities, primarily as plantation workers, with 70% participating. Access to land remains limited, with 76.9% of households lacking land management rights. Furthermore, decision-making in education is dominated by men (95%), while decision-making in health is dominated by women (97.5%). In terms of economic benefits, men derive greater benefits from oil palm and non-farm income, while women derive social benefits through their role in managing family health. The findings indicate gender-based disparities in the distribution of access, control, and benefits.

Keywords: farming households, gender relations, oil palm

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Elvawati, Melia, Yenni, Irwan, Irwan, Zulfa, Zulfa, Agustini, Bella, Putri, & Renita Eka (2026). Gender Relations in Oil Palm Development: Access, Control, Participation, And Benefits Among Farming Households. Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies, 2(7), 1122-1128. https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E7/2026-22

@article{Elvawati2026,
  title   = {Gender Relations in Oil Palm Development: Access, Control, Participation, And Benefits Among Farming Households},
  author  = {Elvawati and Melia and Yenni and Irwan and Irwan and Zulfa and Zulfa and Agustini and Bella and Putri and Renita Eka},
  journal = {Journal of Social Science and Human Research Studies},
  year    = {2026},
  volume  = {2},
  number  = {7},
  pages   = {1122-1128},
  doi     = {10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E7/2026-22},
  url     = {https://doi.org/10.65150/EP-jsshrs/V2E7/2026-22}
}

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