Grassroots Women's Action to Alleviate Problems in Their Regions

Grassroots women voiced their aspirations and joys and sorrows as female companions to the Minister of PPPA.

KOMPAS/SONYA HELLEN SINOMBOR

Participants of the National Women's Conference for Development Planning or the Second Women's Conference in 2024, on Friday evening (19/4/2024), held a dialogue with Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati (not visible), at the Giri Nata Mandala Cultural Hall in Badung Regency, Bali.

Women at the grassroots level are a driving force in pushing for change in their regions, especially at the village level. A number of women have proven that when they are given the opportunity and space to participate, they can help and protect, as well as empower other women, thereby driving progress in their villages.

The struggles and works of grassroots women leaders were revealed by several participants of the Second National Women's Congress for Development Planning or Munas Perempuan Ke-2 Tahun 2024 during a dialogue with the Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, on Friday (19/4/2024) evening at the Giri Nata Mandala Cultural Hall in Badung Regency, Bali.

In the dialogue that lasted until that evening, representatives of the National Conference participants from 11 organizations INCLUSION partners who were the organizers of the 2024 Women's National Conference conveyed the situation of women in his area. They also explained the programs and activities for women's protection and empowerment that had been carried out so far.

Also read: Ensure to Participate in Development, Thousands of Women Participate in National Conference

The women in question come from the Women's Empowerment of Household Heads (PEKKA) organization, Migrant CARE, Institute of Alternative Education Circle (KAPAL) for Women, Aisyiyah, East Indonesia Knowledge Exchange (BaKTI), Indonesian Household Head Women (PKBI), Inclusive Sasana and Advocacy Movement for Disabilities (SIGAB), Partnership institution (Lembaga Partnership), Agency for Human Resource Development and Study (Lakpesdam), Yakkum Christian Foundation Rehabilitation Center for Public Health, and Capable Sumatran Women (Permampu).

Ainia, for example, a participant representing women with disabilities from SIGAB at the national congress, shared how she became a disabled woman since the age of 7. At that time, she had an accident when she was hit by a motorcycle, causing her to lose her hearing ability.

KOMPAS/SONYA HELLEN SINOMBOR

Participants of the National Women's Conference for Development Planning or the Second Women's Conference in 2024, on Friday evening (19/4/2024), held a dialogue with Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati (not visible), at the Giri Nata Mandala Cultural Hall in Badung Regency, Bali.

In 2022, he joined a disability group and actively participated in activities, even registering with the Secretary of the Pioneer for Caring for Disabilities in Situbondo (PPDiS). Initially, he was worried and lacked confidence. However, he was accepted for work and received good treatment from his colleagues.

"This is my first experience performing in a big forum, I will never forget it. I thank my parents and everyone because I am proud of myself and they have made me realize that I am capable," said Ainia.

We will be able to realize that women are not only objects of development, but women are also subjects of development.

The 2nd Women's National Congress in 2024 is a collaboration between Mitra INKLUSI, the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), and the Directorate of Family, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports of the Ministry of National Development Planning/National Development Planning Agency (Kementerian PPN/Bappenas). The event took place for two days, from Friday (19/4/2024) to Saturday (20/4/2024) in Badung, Bali.

Also read: Various INKLUTION Partner Products Exhibited Ahead of the 2024 Women's National Conference in Bali

Munas is an opportunity for grassroots women (especially women with disabilities and marginalized groups) to come forward and speak up. They can convey the challenges and obstacles in supporting women, including sharing their achievements. Some even express their heart's out.

Good practice

Serni Harnita, a member of the Akar Rumput Women's Community Forum from Nias Island, representing the Permampu members, said that Nias women are accustomed to living in customary practices from birth to death. According to Permampu's research, several customary practices impoverish women and view them as commodities or goods that can be traded.

"Our access to information is very limited, so we didn't know that there are already laws and regulations to protect women from child marriage and violence," said Serni.

KOMPAS/SONYA HELLEN SINOMBOR

Participants of the National Women's Conference on Development Planning or the 2nd National Women's Conference in 2024, held a dialogue with the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati (not visible), on Friday afternoon (19/4/2024) at the Giri Nata Mandala Cultural Center in Badung Regency, Bali.

Fortunately, his group founded a credit union (CU) business which became a place to gather, organize, gain knowledge, education and gain access to loans. From CU they learn to save, accumulate capital and set aside income.

As a result, there are currently 15,489 women organized into 257 women's groups in North Sumatra who have assets worth Rp 47 billion. One billion rupiah from the remaining profits is used for the education of female cadres, supporting the nomination of female village heads, and regional/legislative leader candidates.

"Several of our friends have succeeded in becoming village heads and legislative members," he said.

Also read: Improving Women's Health for Economic Growth

Meanwhile, Agustini, a representative from Asyiyah Probolinggo, revealed efforts to prevent malnutrition through education for pregnant women with a nutritional home program. This effort was able to decrease rates of malnutrition in her region from 28 percent to 13 percent.

In response to the stories of women, Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati stated that she highly appreciates the hard work of women in several regions. Darmawati motivated the female participants to never give up and continue to fight for the protection of women and children.

KOMPAS/SONYA HELLEN SINOMBOR

Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati (center), on Friday (19/4/2024) afternoon, at Giri Nata Mandala Cultural Hall, Badung Regency, Bali, engaged in dialogue with several participants of the National Women's Congress for Development Planning or the second Women's Congress of 2024.

"Listening to the stories of amazing and outstanding mothers, I am certain that it is not just a dream, but something that we can achieve - that women are not just the object of development, but rather as the subject of development. Thank you for the incredible work of these amazing mothers," said Darmawati.

On Saturday morning (4/20/2024), the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) once again attended the Balai Budaya Giri Nata Mandala Building to open the 2nd National Conference of Women in 2024. She delivered a speech affirming women's struggle. The Regent of Badung, I Nyoman Giri Prasta, and several officials from relevant ministries/agencies were also present.