This paper offers an initial overview of the gender-related aspects within the Indonesian and Malaysian legal frameworks governing palm oil production, focusing on areas pertinent to the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR).
It also identifies gaps in the implementation of these legal frameworks, potentially leading to discrimination against women. It thus highlights potential grounds for claims of gender discrimination or other gender-related violations under Indonesian and Malaysian laws, which could prompt third parties to raise substantiated concerns with EU Competent Authorities.
Such concerns could result in sanctions against the operators involved. Hence, the preparation for the EUDR application presents a valuable opportunity to initiate dialogues with stakeholders across palm oil supply chains in both countries. These dialogues would aim to enhance the enforcement and application of gender-related requirements.
Furthermore, since the Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil (ISPO) and the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification schemes are mandatory in Indonesia and Malaysia respectively, they could also provide avenues for bolstering the enforcement of gender-related requirements.
