Post-Mining Areas: Analysis of Women's Involvement in the Informal Sector

Abstract

Lhokseumawe and Aceh Utara areas have been the largest natural gas producing areas in Aceh for 30 years since 1971. Lhokseumawe has also earned the nickname as a city of petro dollars even to this day despite the splendor of the city has dimmed in line with the end of gas exports in October 2014. Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS) data shows that until March 2016 the number of poor people in Lhokseumawe City was 11.98%. While Aceh province itself in March 2017 became the poorest province in Sumatra. Given the limitations of natural resources, it is fitting for economic development that does not depend on general allocation funds (DAU) and Special Allocation Fund (DAK) sourced from the central government. Local governments should be able to develop the leading sectors in Lhokseumawe such as services, trade, tourism and marine sectors. Which plays an important role in this city is the trade and marine sector. One of the informal Sectors that will be of concern in this research is the service and trade sector involving women as traders in traditional markets. Women became important in this study because of its contribution in this region so visible.