Vital Conservation

Power of Mama

In the heart of Borneo, a remarkable group of women are leading the fight to protect one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. The Power of Mama is the first-ever female firefighting team in Borneo.

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Project Summary

The Power of Mama are local women taking a stand against devastating forest fires that threaten their homes, their health, and the critically endangered orangutans that share their land.

These brave women patrol fire-prone areas, extinguishing fires and educating their communities on sustainable land management. They are transforming not only the landscape but also their own lives —breaking gender stereotypes and becoming powerful role models.

Local Partner: YIARI

Project Impact

Every patrol, every fire put out, every mind changed — here's what that adds up to.

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FEMALE FIRE FIGHTERS

Over 130 women have joined The Power of Mama to become fire fighters and ambassadors for wildlife and forest protection in West Borneo.
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Forests Covered

Fire-prone forested areas covered: Pematang Gadung, Sungai Besar, Sungai Awan Kiri and Sukamaju
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Female Firefighting team

The Power of Mama has broken new ground as Borneo's first-ever all-female firefighting team.

The Full Story

The Power of Mama is a community-led initiative supported by YIARI, our frontline partner in Indonesia, which is inspiring local women to play an active role in forest protection and fire prevention. Fires are one of the biggest risks to the rainforest and to the survival of the critically endangered orangutan. The 50-strong team of women who make up the fire prevention and firefighting force are between the ages of 25 and 50 and many are mothers, even grandmothers. They have taken on roles traditionally held by men, revolutionising attitudes towards the role of women in their societies and working to build a better future for the next generation.

Every year, wildfires (known locally as Karhutla) destroy thousands of acres of Indonesia’s tropical rainforests, causing countless human and wildlife casualties and releasing millions of tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. Fire prevention and suppression are vital to ensure these wildfires don’t negatively affect humans or animals.

See them in action!

Through the Power of Mama, local women are able to find their voices, take control and take action, together with government firefighters and other community members, to protect their native wildlife, their homes and families, and the air they breathe.

Support the Power of Mama

This is where the Mamas come in. YIARI’s aim is to support the all-female front-line team across four fire-prone forested areas in West Borneo, namely Pematang Gadung, Sungai Besar, Sungai Awan Kiri and Sukamaju.

As long as forests and wet, carbon-rich peatlands are drained for industrial agriculture, ordinary Indonesians who live in villages close to the fire sites will be forced to live with the consequences. Through the Power of Mama, local women are able to find their voices, take control and take action, together with government firefighters and other community members, to protect their native wildlife, their homes and families, and the air they breathe.

Every day the Mamas patrol their respective forested areas and the land around their local villages on motorbikes and on foot, identifying fire hotspots, putting out fires, talking to farmers about land clearing methods that don’t involve ‘slash and burn’, and ensuring their forests stay intact. During the rainy season, they also support communities impacted by flooding and provide education and resources to improve sanitation and quality of life. For example, they teach communities about the importance of appropriate rubbish disposal and show them how to clear gutters and waterways of rubbish to prevent flooding.