PowerUp THE MOST SIGNIFICANT - WOMEN SHAPING THEIR FUTURE WITH TECHNOLOGY
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THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF PowerUp WOMEN SHAPING THEIR FUTURE WITH TECHNOLOGY
2 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 3 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
COMMUNICATION TRANSPARENCY Interviewer
Resource Person
PKBI
Amanah
HAS HELPED TO REDUCE MY Sex
Level of Involvement
F
Indirect Beneficiary
HUSBAND’S CONTROL OVER Village Desa Menemeng, Pringgarata, Lombok Tengah
MY REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
I am a 45-year-old woman with three discussion. I was suddenly stunned
children, all girls. After we moved when the midwife said, “There is a
to Lombok, my husband suddenly high risk in pregnancy among women
wished for more children, with a strong over 35 years of age”. This made me
preference for boys. This was a wish nervous and scared. It further made
that really caused me a lot of stress me hesitant as to whether I should
and to which I complied because I obey my husband’s wish by potentially
believed that obeying my husband putting my life at risk.
was my devotion to him as his wife.
At this point, I had not had my period
In Lombok, my husband set up a kiosk and thought I may have gotten
attached to the house, and had me pregnant. Out of worry, I tried to find
watch the kiosk while still raising out about the risks from my daughters
the children. Fortunately, my eldest and learned about pregnancy issues
daughter took part in village activities in the Maternal and Child Health
and would share with me information Handbook from other women from the
she acquired. I also was able to confide Posyandu1 who stopped at my kiosk
in her about my husband’s strong to buy groceries. Three months later,
demands to have a male child. I was still without a period and both
my husband and I were certain that I
Some time ago, an awareness raising was pregnant. One of my daughters
activity was held to introduce 26 suggested that I go to the Puskesmas
signs of risk women experience during (health clinic) for an exam.
pregnancy and home deliveries. This
activity was held at the sub-village The examination showed that I was
head, which was right across my not pregnant but was experiencing
house, but I could not participate menstrual problems. I broke down in
as I had to care for my children and front of the midwife. I felt devastated
the kiosk. I was, however, still able and very scared. “God, I surrender
to listen to the presentation and the to you. You shall decide if this is the
1 Pos Pelayanan Terpadu: Community-Based Integrated Health Post
4 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 5 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
ERADICATING THE CULTURE
OF PATRIARCHY MEANS
ENSURING AN INCREASE
IN HOUSEHOLD INCOME
Interviewer Saipuddin Zuhri/KONSEPSI
Resource Person Hairun Badrun, Village Administrative Official
Sex Male
Level of Involvement Direct Beneficiary
Village Desa Lendang Nangka Utara, Masbagik, Lombok Timur
end of my marriage,” I said to myself, the chances of getting pregnant was
knowing how my husband would slim and risky. It then occurred to me
respond. My daughter tried to calm that my husband may have thought
me down and told me, “You have to me very disrespectful for conveying
tell father about the result of the my thoughts over the phone, especially
examination when you have calmed concerning such a topic.
down. Don’t worry, I will be always
by your side.” But my husband surprised me, as he
called asking how I was doing, “A friend
I eventually told him what happened of mine said that menstrual problems
but he did not say a word. This made are dangerous for women. You should
me scared and nervous. I resigned see a doctor. Don’t worry too much
myself to what would happen next. about having to get pregnant to have
A couple of days later, I spoke to my a boy in our family.” I was stunned and
husband over the phone and told him for a moment could not say anything,
about what the midwife said during but later felt indescribable joy and
the examination and about the risks relief. I got my period a couple of days
of pregnancy at my age. I told him that later. It was a life-changing moment
the stress of having to give him a male for me. Since then, we are always open
offspring was probably what led to my with each other about reproductive
menstrual problems and that at my age health issues.
6 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 7 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
Consultative Body (BPD4) always give Additionally, before the Power Up
opportunities to women to convey program was implemented, the
their aspirations. Two women have culture of patriarchy was deeply
also become members of the Team embedded in society. Psychological
for the Development of the Village violence and labelling of women were
Government Workplan. As a result of common practices. Women were also
this involvement and struggle, the passive recipients of men’s decision
rights and needs of women, especially making in each and every adat or
concerning the health sector, have religious ceremony because it was
been accommodated with the considered not appropriate for women
allocation of around Rp 800 million to express their opinions. Now things
in the Village Budget (APBDes5). The have become more encouraging,
funds are for ambulance use, village there is a better division of roles
clinics, management of stunting and responsibilities within the
and reproductive health. households and labeling women/girls
and preference of boys over girls
In my opinion, the most significant is disappearing.
changes that I have observed are
changes in cultural (adat) norms. For
instance, decision making is no longer
While participating in a social I now understand that if I get sick or male dominated, as women participate
activity about the Power Up program, become jobless, my wife can become in meetings in the sub-villages. This
I thought it would really be great if the breadwinner. There have also change was made possible following
the program could contribute directly been positive cultural changes in a gender training attended by the
to village development through the the community, for example in the husbands of women who were involved
implementation of development past three years there have been no in the Women’s Caucus as well as
projects and women’s empowerment, reported cases of domestic violence Village Government members.
such as catering activities. I believe and only one case of child marriage.
it is possible to use the same People no longer label women who
approaches used by the Conditional have to work until late at night or those
Cash Transfer Program (PKH)1 and who have to migrate to Malaysia or
Advocacy for Indonesian Migrant Saudi Arabia to earn a living. Changes
Workers Institute (ADBMI)2 in terms have also taken place in the village
of implementing economic-related government policies, including the fact
programs. After participating in the that approximately 30% of women now
Power Up program, I understand the participate in the village deliberation
importance of division of roles in the meeting for the development of Village
household to meet the household Government Workplan (RKP3). During
needs and ensure the family’s future, each and every deliberation meeting,
including children’s education. the head of the village and the Village
1 Program Keluarga Harapan: Conditional Cash Transfer Program 4 Badan Permusyawaratan Desa: Village Consultative Body
2 Advokasi Buruh Migran Indonesia: Advocacy for Indonesian Migrant Workers Institute 5 Anggaran Pendapatan dan Belanja Desa: Village Budget and Expenditure
3 Rencana Kerja Pemerintah Desa: Village Government Workplan
8 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 9 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
REBRANDING A CAUCUS
Interviewer Yuni (Oxfam), Rina (PKBI)
Resource Persons/Sex Hidayati/F, Endang Srinurmayani/F, Siti Maryam/F
Agus Astryani/F
THAT EMBRACES ALL
Level of Involvement Direct Beneficiaries
Village Desa Sintung, Pringgarata, Lombok Tengah
10 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 11 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
village meetings, and this is something
that never happened in the past.
Women also go to the Posyandu2 more
often. In addition, the women here are
finally more technology literate. After
ICT training women seem to be happier
since the WIFI connection was provided
by the village, allowing them to utilize
Facebook, and they also ask about
other applications. Changes have
also taken place in regard to issues
concerning pregnant women; now
those living in distant sub-villages can
make a call to village midwives when
they do not understand the information
provided by 26 Daya Kelin. Additional
information is shared via WhatsApp
groups, which also helps to eliminate
some of the transportation concerns
experienced by pregnant women. Many
At the end of December 2018 there was In November 2019, we held a meeting activities, while the caucus ensures women are alone in the household
a change in village leadership. At that and invited the new head of the that the activities proposed meet the because their husbands work as
time, the activities of the women’s village and a number of wives of needs of women and helps to organize migrant workers overseas and often do
caucus continued, but communication village officials. At this meeting, a and mobilize community members to not have anyone to take them to health
and coordination with the village new chairperson of the caucus was participate in the agreed activities. centres to have their pregnancies
government was not what it used to be. appointed and a sensitization training Additionally, the PKK and the caucus monitored. Progress has been observed
The caucus seemed to separate itself on ICT for health by Power Up was held. meet with key stakeholders regularly, in an increased rate of visits to the
from village activities, and activities Around 25 people from the caucus were such as cadres, teenagers, nurses and village polyclinic.
happened outside of the village present. After the new chairperson was village midwives, and village officials.
without coordination with the village. elected, the caucus and the village These meetings serve as forums for Many of the first-time and young
Having raised this concern, and worried administration began to synergize, information sharing as well as for pregnant women have begun actively
that the village would not progress, although the village administration did providing inputs and suggestions asking questions to village midwives,
we met with the village facilitator, not allocate any funds for the caucus. which are to be responded to directly helping to increase reliance on health
provided by Power Up, and shared The caucus, however, worked hand in by those concerned, such as issues practitioners and not just on traditional
information on the progress of the hand with the PKK1, and together we related to village development. methods. The most significant change,
women’s caucus in hopes of getting were able to support and strengthen in our opinion, is that now the caucus
direction regarding the restructuring each other. In almost all village activities, people and the village are in cohesion. The
of the board. The village facilitator left no longer care whether the participants village is increasingly lively because
the decision in our hands but pledged The PKK and the caucus still work are members of the caucus, PKK, women, men and teenagers have their
her commitment to us, whatever together and share roles. The PKK has cadres, youth groups or village own activities. In addition, technology
decision we made. a fixed source of funds and proposes administration officials. Everyone has now made information sharing
mingles. The level of participation of on all activities in the village very
women in sub-village meetings has accessible, especially since WiFi
also started to increase; at least five is provided for free.
women always participate in sub-
1 Pemberdayaan Kesejahteraan Keluarga (Family Welfare Empowerment) 2
Pusat Pelayanan Terpadu (Community-Based Integrated Health Service Post, a post providing basic
healthcare services particularly for children under five and the elderly)
12 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 13 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
TECHNOLOGY BRINGS
Interviewer Koslata
Resource Person Susilowati, Women Caucus member
Sex F
POSITIVE CHANGE Level of Involvement
Village
Direct Beneficiary
Desa Jatisela, Gunung Sari, Lombok Barat
14 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 15 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
I believe that women should not be the Duren Bangdes educational actively participated in activities in my programs to ensure realization of
seen as objects, but rather as subjects video on development planning and village. I am no longer just a housewife, our proposed recommendations.
of development in their villages. implementation developed by Power I am also the sub-village activist in the The changes that have happened
That’s the belief embedded in my mind Up. I learnt a lot from the video, Family Welfare Program (PKK). I also to the caucus members and me are a
since I joined the Power Up program such as the importance of women’s actively run a ‘Friday Blessings’ event result of the mentoring, knowledge
activities. I realize that I have to be participation, as well as the flow in my housing complex by distributing enhancement and capacity building
the driving force for other women in in village planning and budgeting food to street sweepers, the elderly done by Koslata. The process started
the village and I use technology to processes. Using the knowledge and poor people. My position as the when the caucus was formed, followed
make that happen. The technology gained, I started browsing the internet chair of the Caucus has earned me the by training on gender equality, ICT,
developed by the Power Up project and for additional information. I then community’s trust to become the head and many other subjects. I have had
introduced through one of the project shared the information in the caucus of the Waste Bank in my village. real experience in budgeting during a
partners, Koslata, has made it easier WhatsApp group and the Jatisela caucus workshop for the preparation
for me and other women’s caucus caucus Facebook account. Yesterday, the chairperson of the PKK of the aspiration program. During the
members to voice our aspirations and and I were present in the stipulation workshop, we discussed in depth
gain knowledge using technological The most significant change for me of the Government Work Plan and the Village Government Workplan and
gadgets. during my engagement in this project I participated in ensuring that the were taught how to calculate the
has been my increased confidence. women’s empowerment programs are percentage of the budget allocation
To improve my knowledge about I can express my opinions and included in the Village Budget 2020. for women and vulnerable groups.
planning and budgeting, I watched aspirations in public. In the past I never I am able to continue overseeing the
16 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 17 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
THANKS TO THE WOMEN’S CAUCUS Interviewer
Resource Person
Rina/PKBIDate
Suryaningsih, Women’s Caucus
I LEARNED HOW TO USE A MICROPHONE Sex F
AND HOW TO SPEAK IN PUBLIC
Level of Involvement Direct Beneficiary
Village Desa Bagu, Pringgarata, Lombok Tengah
My name is Suryaningsih. I am a of women’s improved capacities in
housewife who, just like any other the village.
housewife, spends most of my time
taking care of the house and my and Technology has helped me on various
family. I first learned about the Power fronts. For instance, if I am not invited
Up project from my female friends who to a village meeting, I can submit my
served as Posyandu1 cadres. I then complaints and suggestions with the
became a member of the women’s use of technology, something I am
caucus and was invited to participate becoming better at utilizing. I now
in the Power Up ICT training in the have a better understanding about
Tanjung Village Office hall. I became the importance of public health,
more knowledgeable about Power Up such pregnancy risks. Additionally,
and have often participated in their the use of social media (WhatsApp
activities. and Facebook) to share information
about development planning and
I have experienced and felt many health improvement led to increased
changes since then. I now have the enthusiasm among women to
courage to voice the rights of women participate in neighbourhood and
and participate in village development village activities as well as join
planning. In the past, I would just come existing women’s groups.
and observe the planning meeting
silently, but now I speak out and I feel that my most memorable change
express my opinions in meetings held has been my improved knowledge
at the village or sub-village levels. and self confidence. Both of these
This is also true for other women, as improvements have enabled me to
approximately 40% of women now get involved in village activities such
participate in village meetings. I also as the village deliberation forum,
feel that there has been change at the sub-village deliberation forum,
level of village administration; they and Village Development Planning
have become more open and accepting Deliberation Meeting. In the past, I had
1
Pusat Pelayanan Terpadu (Community-Based Integrated Health Service Post, a post providing basic
healthcare services particularly for children under five and the elderly)
18 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 19 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
CREATING AN INCLUSIVE
MOVEMENT FOR MATERNAL
AND CHILD HEALTH
Interviewer Koslata
Resource Person Resource Person: Ibu Dewi (Midwife), Influencer
Sex F
Level of Involvement Direct Beneficiary
Village Telotok, Dusun Prawira, Desa Sokong, Tanjung,
Lombok Utara
never received invitations from the sensitization activity. Although I had
village office and had never received to practice the night before on how to
information on village development hold a microphone and talk, I now make
planning. Now I have the courage to announcements for Posyandu activities
propose suggestions regarding village on behalf of the sub-village.
planning and was incredibly pleased
when a proposal was accommodated My active involvement in the women’s
by the village government. caucus activities and in the Posyandu
programs has made me better
Looking back at the processes known by the community and village
of change that I have felt and administration. The village government
experienced, I saw myself growing has subsequently begun to recognize
from being a housewife to becoming my capacities and abilities to speak
Posyandu cadre and to now also having out and propose programs needed
the opportunity to become a member by women in the village. All of these
of the women’s caucus. Through the have earned me the opportunities to
women’s caucus my knowledge and participate in a range of meetings,
confidence has grown. I went from and I was also trusted to become a
someone who never spoke in public member of the village facilitator team
to speaking at the Power Up ICT for stunting extension services.20 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 21 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
I first learned about Power Up when I and provide both information and
was involved in the preparation of a materials regarding various pregnancy
document to be entitled “26 Signs of related topics, including risks, labour
Risks in Pregnancy and Childbirth”. This preparation, techniques for pushing
was to be developed into technology- during labour, etc. On the third day,
based materials. Our team worked husbands are required to attend
together with health workers and the class so that they also receive
representatives of the Health Office information and can be better prepared
to develop the project. It was new for the labour.
and interesting for me because it
involved communication, information Additionally, the use of technology
and education media using voiced- to disseminate maternal and child
based technology. The project was health information has also played a
very helpful in increasing awareness, significant role. Our village midwives
specifically for pregnant women, as have also been involved in technology-
well as women and family members, on based training on “26 Signs of Risks
maternal and child health with a focus in Pregnancy and Childbirth”. The
on pregnancy planning and childbirth. midwives later train other Posyandu
cadres in their respective villages,
The most significant change for me and which has led to more extensive
other midwives is that recently there information dissemination and
have been no cases of women giving outreach. Midwives and health workers
birth at home; everyone now gives in maternal and child health have also
birth at healthcare facilities. This has come together and created a WhatsApp
been possible as a result of the active group that includes pregnant women,
roles of the health workers, or Posyandu cadres, midwives, and nutrition officers
cadres, in disseminating information as participants. In addition to serving
about risk signs during pregnancy and as a forum for information sharing,
childbirth. Now even cadres also take communication has also encouraged
part in accompanying expecting women pregnant women in the group to start
to regular examinations and providing identifying their pregnancy issues and
referrals when necessary. In addition, we seek consultation and support through
have also seen many changes related to the WhatsApp group chat. At the
health workers which have contributed Puskesmas (health clinic), midwives
to the absence of home births. have also embraced utilizing mobile
phones and video calls to provide
To have achieved such success, a consultation services.
number of initiatives took place. For
instance, each village allocated a Use of technology and virtual
budget for maternity classes, enabling consultation and information sharing,
us to reach out to more pregnant as well as the maternity classes, all
women. The village administration aim to assist women with childbirth
has been more open and welcoming and improve the referral process.
of midwives, allowing us to plan and It has also created better working
coordinate the maternity classes to relationships between and among
ensure equal standards and quality health workers and midwives, providing
of the classes. The maternity classes a better all-around experience for
are run on three consecutive days pregnant women.i22 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 23 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
SUCCESS IS NOT THE END
Interviewer KONSEPSI
Resource Person Sulastri Muliani, Women Caucus member
OF THE STRUGGLE
Sex F
Level of Involvement Direct Beneficiary
Village Desa Danger, Masbagik, Lombok Timur
Gender-sensitive development and make your voice heard. It is not
planning? I never thought I could be only about arguing for your position but
involved in such a thing. until one day also the readiness to adjust based on
the village secretary told me about the interests of the different parties.
the women’s caucus in Danger village.
It sparked my interest to learn more Perwada Women’s Caucus started the
about the caucus and to respond to process to have their members part
the invitation to participate in the of the team for the Development of
Village Development Planning Training the Village Government Workplan in
held by the Perwada caucus. 2019. From the three members of the
Women’s Caucus’ Board of Executives,
The training opened my mind to I was selected to become the member
the idea that “planning is not the of the team for the development of the
government’s business alone. It is Village Government Workplan for 2019
everybody’s business that even women as the women’s representative.
can participate.” I later became familiar
with government-related documents Having a representative in the team
and the process of their formulation did not necessarily mean that the
such as the Village Medium-Term aspirations of women would be
Development Plan, Village Government easily accommodated in the village
Work Plan and the Village Budget development programs. I faced many
and Expenditure. challenges being the only female in the
team and interacting with influential
After the training I joined the women’s leaders in a male-dominated space.
caucus core team and helped to The Village Government, Village
develop an aspiration program and Consultative Body and Head of the
action plan. It was not as easy as Village were all male. There were
I thought. The aspirations of the difficult moments, especially regarding
women’s caucus are beyond words; the budget allocations and prioritization
struggle to meet the aspirations is one of activities. Many times I had to take
of blood, sweat and tears and one that a deep breath and keep pushing
enables you to vocalize your concerns forward despite the frustrations.24 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 25 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
Although I was the only female in
the Formulation Team, I was not
continued and consistent commitment
of the women’s caucus in facing all FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT:
THERE IS ALWAYS A SILVER
working alone. The women’s caucus challenges. The Village Government
team’s work was really what created Workplan 2020 also accommodates
the successes, including a number some of these aspirations, including
LINING ON EVERY CLOUD
of influential leaders who are now budget allocation for health
supporting women’s aspirations. (reproductive health, stunting
management and supplementary
The most memorable moment for me feeding – a total Rp 210 million);
was when the Village Government empowerment and training for catering
Work Plan 2019 was finally issued. services – Rp 7 million; means and
Physical programs that dominated the facilities of the village clinic (Polindes) Interviewer Koslata
workplans in the previous years started – Rp 10 million, incentive for cadres – Resource Person Budiawan, Head of Village
to be balanced with empowerment Rp 150,000; and so on. Sex M
programs. Some of the aspirations that
were accommodated in the Village The extensive experience and Level of Involvement Direct Beneficiary
Government Workplan 2019 include, opportunities in working directly with Village Desa Tanjung, Tanjung, Lombok Utara
but are not limited to, allocation of issues concerning village development
Rp 4 million for reproductive health have further developed our excitement
training; Rp 7 million for data collection and confidence as a result of the
for the blood bank; Rp 150,000 growing trust of the village government
incentive (raised from Rp 50,000) for with the women’s caucus. The head
cadres; and budget allocation increase of the village now believes in the
for supplementary feeding from Rp important role that women play in
75,000 to Rp 100,000. The most valuable village development. In fact, he has
impact that I experienced as part of become very proactive in discussing
this process was during the training women’s aspirations and the
on Awareness Raising for Women importance for establishing programs
on Reproductive Health. Participant to meet these aspirations. These
behaviours changed once they were desires have now been expressed not
made aware of practices that led to only during face-to-face meetings but
risk of cervical cancer, as well as also through SMS, WhatsApp and/or
child marriage and the importance telephone communication.
of nutrition for children under five.
Despite all of this success, we never
The success in having women’s tire to remind the women’s caucus that
aspirations in the Village Government these successes do not represent the
Workplan 2019 did not come easy. end of our struggle. We have to keep
What made it work has been the on struggling!26 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 27 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
In early 2018, the Power Up team from well as indirectly through the village
Koslata paid a visit to Tanjung village government’s Facebook page. Women
office to introduce their project plans are no longer hesitant or lacking in
and activities. As the head of the self-confidence.
village, I couldn’t agree more with the
project, especially the implementation From my observation, the change
of women’s empowerment, as I in the pattern of village development
believe that it is very important for planning, alongside women’s ability
village development. After attending to express their wishes to be invited to
Power Up project activities, the participate in the village development
village administrative officials and I planning meetings, is most significant.
have increasingly strengthened our
As the village head, I rely on the heads
knowledge about the role of women.
of sub-villages to connect with villagers
It is very encouraging to see how the
to tap into their aspirations and in the
women’s caucus was established in
implementation of development. Now
this village. The women have become
that the women’s caucus has been
knowledgeable in village development
established, I have a strategic partner
planning and have organized small
in the planning and implementation of
discussions in each village involving
village development. The involvement
other women.
of members of women’s caucus in the
Information sharing has increasingly development of the Village Mid-Term
gone well with the use of WhatsApp. Development Plan3 as well as the
A number of WhatsApp groups Village Government Workplan4 has
have served as a means of sharing really facilitated the identification
information concerning women’s and accommodation of the needs of
caucus’ activities with the village women and other groups in the village,
government to women groups such especially the health sector. The
as Posyandu, Village PKK1, and Sub- brave voices of the women during the
village PKK. Other changes that I Village Development Plan Deliberation
have observed include increased Meeting has helped us, the village
communication and coordination government, to better understand
between women and the village women and children’s issues. The
government. The level of participation Village Government can respond more
of women in village deliberation effectively to the issues raised through
meetings2 has increased drastically by the village development programs.
more than 30 percent, which is a very
Women in my village have expressed
significant change compared to how
their wishes to rewrite the letters
it used to be. Over time, women have
of R.A. Kartini, a prominent female
had more courage to express their
Indonesian hero. The title is fitting:
aspirations and recommendations both
“From Darkness to Light”.
directly to the village government as
1 Pemberdayaan Kesejahteraan Keluarga: Family Welfare Guidance Program
2 Musrenbangdes (Musyawarah Rencana Pembangunan Desa): Village Development Plan Deliberation
Meeting28 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 29 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
COLOURING THE JOURNEY
Interviewer Mustofa
Resource Person Rohani
OF KOSLATA
Sex F
Level of Involvement Partner/Koslata
I know Koslata because I used to on our website and through social
frequently work as a minute taker media posts.
for Power Up activities. The first time
I encountered Koslata, I thought of A few days after I was trusted as the
them as a very masculine team. They Gender Focal Point of the organization,
only had three female employees. The I learned about a research scholarship
female staff’s names all start with offered by the SAPDA Jogja Foundation.
“H”: Habibah the finance officer, and I applied for it in my capacity as
Hariatun and Hanani, both village Koslata’s Gender Focal Point. I was
facilitators. But Koslata is now no one of 24 applicants from thousands
longer largely a male dominated who had applied to have received the
organization since Power Up opened scholarship for a workshop and to
in West Lombok. Many women have receive support to conduct research.
joined the organization to work as My research topic was integrated with
village facilitators, including myself. the implementation of the Power Up
I joined Koslata as a village facilitator project, namely Participation of Women
in March 2019. with Disabilities in Village Development
Planning. I have a hope that the results
For me it was the beginning of of my study will be useful for both
significant changes in Koslata. The Koslata and SABDA in relation to women
involvement of more women created with disabilities.
opportunities for gender mainstreaming
in Koslata, starting with the presence In addition to the above changes,
of a Gender Focal Point. The role of another shift occurred when there was
this Gender Focal Point was not an a staffing change. Hazig, a male staff
instant process; it took a long time as member, resigned as the Information
it required awareness raising regarding and Communication Technology Officer.
the importance and purpose of this role This was a job usually held by men.
within the organization. In my opinion, Haziq resigned before the end of the
it is the shared awareness that has project, and I was appointed to replace
been the most important as well as the him. I thought it quite interesting that
effect it has had on Koslata’s online the opportunity was entrusted to me.
space. Women’s perspectives are now I, personally, saw that Koslata has the
being included in the forms of articles courage to provide a space for women30 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 31 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
IF ONLY DINOSAURS
in technology, in what has historically of gender mainstreaming in Koslata:
been a male dominated role. This equal opportunities can be provided
opportunity has further allowed me to increase human resource capacity
HAD KNOWN ICT...
to continue learning ICT. in various fields, regardless of gender.
The existence of a Gender Focal Point
For me, personally, it is not about has also become part of Koslata’s
what my role is in the organization foundation and will help in their future
that makes it significant. Instead, rebranding to tackle wider issues such
it is significant that a previously as the environment, migrant workers,
male-dominated organization has and gender mainstreaming. I am certain Interviewer Gator Sulistoni
created opportunities and given that gender mainstreaming values will Resource Person Moh. Taqiudin
women chances to learn. This most always colour Koslata’s journey as the
significant change is the success Sex M
organization moves into the future.
Level of Involvement Koslata32 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP 33 THE MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE STORIES OF POWER UP
Good relationships and reach are staff members, which has become
the most valuable organizational the Media Team. This newly developed
assets. They are not free, nor are team designs and manages information
they established instantly. Although dissemination. At present, the Media
everyone is blessed with seeds of Team is learning to develop the Open
potential, only a few are capable of Journal System, an online journal for
watering and caring for them. The public access. We also plan to build an
presence of Power Up, along with online library for community education.
its concept of utilizing Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) The development of ICT tools, such
has been like a watering can that as the website and our social media
faithfully waters the seeds of growth pages, has attracted donors and led
of KONSEPSI. ICT was not an area of to new donor collaborations. In
strength, nor a focus at KONSEPSI, fact, one of the donors was already
however the existence of the ICT staff quite familiar with and interested in
mandated by the Power Up project cooperating with KONSEPSI as a partner
created change and enabled the before they actually established
development of a wider audience. contact due to the website. One of
the international donors who evaluates
KONSEPSI was not a known entity; and ranks the capacity of its NGO
even Google, which is dubbed as “the partner capacities annually has
know-it-all”, did not have any entries provided us with positive appreciation
about KONSEPSI. I still remember three of the significant increase in capacity
years ago when I entered the key word ranking of KONSEPSI, which has been
“KONSEPSI” in the search box. Google influenced by ICT development.
offered thousands of pages containing
the word “conception” instead. This Through a number of digital platforms,
has, however, changed. Now when you KONSEPSI has unintentionally also
Google KONSEPSI, it appears within created a rebranding and repositioned
the first page. Our webpage is now on itself amongst key stakeholders. For
the world wide web. KONSEPSI’s page example, when KONSEPSI introduced
ranking has also improved due the concept of a digital Community
to regular postings. Satisfaction Survey (CSS) to the
Local Development Planning Body
We had never systematically pursued (Bappeda) of Lombok Timur, our idea
page ranking using search engine was immediately welcomed. The
optimization (SEO) techniques but Local Development Planning Body
thanks to Power Up’s ICT officer, has entrusted KONSEPSI with the
this all changed. It started with implementation of digital CSS for
improving the website, then Facebook, the improvement of health services governments and international donors. The world keeps changing. If we only
Instagram, Youtube and one by one in 34 Puskesmas in Lombok Timur. At present, our greatest desire is to rely on the old ways to build good
new ideas were being shared and utilize ICT to support our organization’s relationships and trust, we might likely
brought to life. The ICT Officer was Through ICT, KONSEPSI has built
public accountability platform by become dinosaurs, who felt powerful
single handedly managing all ICT increasingly better and broader
sharing accountability reports but eventually came to extinction due
initiatives, but , now the Power Up ICT relationships with our beneficiary
online. We believe that accountable to the changing times. If only dinosaurs
officer is accompanied by five other communities, NGO partners,
organizations will last long. had known ICT...You can also read
