Female farmers in many developing countries play very significant roles in home-gardening, agricultural activities and shoulder responsibility in the provision of food and welfare for their households. Papaya is one of the most promising crops to grow in the village in which female farmers might be able to actively participate. Participation determines the successfulness of every single empowerment program aimed to improve community welfares, including papaya gardening program. This study aimed to determine participation of female farmers in papaya gardening program at village of Rindu Hati, Province of Bengkulu, Indonesia. A descriptive-qualitative research approach was conducted by in-depth interviewing of female farmers, direct observations of participating females in planning activities, preparing local based-compost, land preparations, papaya nursery and gardening. Data collection covered (a) characteristics of female farmers, (b) female participations (involvement, willingness, contribution, responsibility and levels of involvement). Results indicated that most of female farmers belonged to family with land ownerships less than 5.000 m2 and monthly income of 72 USD, spent 7.75 years in school, played more responsible in domestic works and occasionally spent worked as part-time agricultural labor. The level of participation female farmers in papaya gardening program was considerably good as reflected by their active participations, enthusiasms and cheerfulness. In conclusion, the level of participation of female farmers in Rindu Hati village was classified into functional participation.