Championing Women Leaders in Sustainable Palm Oil: A Conversation with Rukaiyah Rafik

Highlighting the challenges faced by female smallholders in the palm oil industry, FORTASBI Indonesia’s Head of Secretariat Rukaiyah Rafik leads by example, sharing advice on encouraging women to pursue more leadership roles.  

Gender inequality remains a critical issue in the palm oil industry. Women workers still face discrimination on a number of issues, including unequal wages, entitlement to traditional land, laws and enforcement, and labour rights.

Despite being crucial to operations and management, women continue to be systematically excluded, which is not only unjust, but economically counterproductive. Globally, the gender gap in agriculture is recognised as an urgent challenge that demands immediate and comprehensive action.

To mark International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March 2025, RSPO reaffirmed its commitment to gender balance and women empowerment in line with the RSPO Standards by hosting a Dialogue Session with Rukaiyah Rafik, who spearheads the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil Farmers Forum (FORTASBI), in Jakarta, Indonesia. A member of the RSPO Alternate Board of Governors, “Ibu Uki” is an active spokesperson for national and international forums, where she introduces and shares positive stories related to the sustainable management of palm oil commodities.

What are some of the main challenges that female smallholders face in the palm oil industry? 

The biggest challenges faced by female smallholders are a lack of awareness about the importance of women’s participation, lack of capacity and knowledge, low self-confidence, and cultural factors that relegate women to domestic work. While women are highly involved in the management of independent smallholder plantations, their participation is notably lower in cooperatives or associations that represent these smallholders.

Have there been any improvements to address these challenges in the past decade?

For certified smallholders, there has been positive change due to the RSPO Standard’s emphasis on gender mainstreaming and our support for organisations to ensure high female participation. Currently, most certified cooperatives include women in their structure. While the number of women in decision-making positions – such as managers – remains low, this increased involvement indicates progress.

What are some of the improvements you’d like to see in the palm oil sector to make it more inclusive and empowering for women?

I hope to see more women become managers in cooperatives or involved in strategic planning for the future. Women often bring strong organisational skills and a structured approach to leadership. Additionally, our natural inclination to nurture, protect, and educate makes us highly effective in managing cooperatives and farmer institutions, fostering both growth and community development.

What were some of your own challenges you faced in becoming a leader in the sector?

A key challenge I faced was ensuring the next generation of women leaders. Many women hesitate to step into leadership roles due to the significant risks and responsibilities involved, especially in managing farmer institutions.

At FORTASBI, leadership goes beyond administration – we work directly with 59 cooperatives and 16,000 farmers, so it is essential for us to cultivate future female leaders.

Any advice you have for women in the palm oil industry to encourage them to pursue leadership roles?

70% of the members in FORTASBI are women. Within our structure, 90% of managers at FORTASBI are women. This is our way of demonstrating and educating cooperatives on the importance of encouraging women’s involvement in institutions. We also provide many female trainers in villages to inspire local women to participate in training sessions.

Finally, what does International Women’s Day mean to you? Why is it important to recognise this day?

International Women’s Day highlights the crucial role of women in driving sustainability in the palm oil industry. True sustainability encompasses a balance between economic, social, and environmental factors – and gender equality is an essential part of that equation.