Empowering and increasing the capacity of women is very important in building an inclusive and sustainable society. The role of women in development cannot be underestimated. Because they are the backbone of the family and have a big contribution in various sectors of life.
However, in many societies, women still face various barriers in accessing education, employment, health and political decisions. Therefore, empowering and increasing women's capacity is an important basis. To create gender equality, improve social and economic welfare, and create an inclusive environment for all.
Efforts that can be made through training, education, access to resources, and support from various parties are very crucial. By empowering women and increasing their capacities, we not only give them the opportunity to develop personally. But it also helps build a more just, dynamic and sustainable society as a whole.
This is the basis for the Jakarta Women's Resource Development Center (PPSW) to form a local institution with democratic values called the Women's Resource Development Cooperative (KWPS) Lantern Merah Abadi.
This cooperative was founded in Belimbing Village, Kosambi District, Tangerang Regency, on August 7 2022, with a majority of ethnic Chinese women as members. The goal is to change society's view of the role of women in development. Also empowering women in various aspects of life, economic and social.
Iqbal Yusti Ekoputro as Co-Director of PPSW Jakarta said that initially PPSW Jakarta chose Fort Chinese women to become members of the cooperative because they saw the high cases of debts they experienced. “There are lots of loan sharks and unfriendly loans. So we formed this cooperative so that it is in line with the vision and mission of PPSW Jakarta. "Because when we empower women it cannot be separated from economic factors," explained Iqbal.
By implementing a family approach strategy, PPSW Jakarta is committed to providing assistance and visits to every family of Fort Chinese women. The aim is to encourage them to be actively involved in women's empowerment activities in Belimbing village. Iqbal admitted that the biggest challenge is how to build critical awareness of their basic rights as humans. "Moreover, it gives them the understanding that they have to be smart in managing their time when they are actively involved in activities outside the home. Because their responsibilities in the family do not automatically disappear."
Iqbal explained that KWPS Lantern Merah Abadi is not only a forum for Chinese women to save and borrow money. This cooperative also carries out several women's leadership activities that are in line with the values of Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI). "We have carried out the process of increasing the capacity of Chinese women in this fortress with various training. To strengthen the group, namely basic cooperative training, basic parent training and bookkeeping. "Meanwhile, to improve leadership, Fort Chinese women are given leadership training in the form of a discussion series about GEDSI."
Don't forget also training on preventing child marriage and violence against women through socialization of the Child Protection Law, TPKS Law, and PPRT. The impact is very big. Iqbal said that from this training, Fort Chinese women were able to lobby the district level government, the population and civil registration service, as well as the women and child protection service, Tangerang Regency.
"Even in this cooperative a red lantern task force forum was formed. So this task force is tasked with preventing and reporting violence against women. "They will communicate with the child and women's protection services later," added Iqbal.
Of all the increases in cooperative members obtained, the most important thing is that Chinese women get easy access to legal identity. From PPSW Jakarta records data, Iqbal admitted that as many as 55 children's identity cards were successfully issued. "Because in the past, almost 99% out of a total of 217 children in Belimbing village did not have child identity cards because ownership of this identity was not considered important by them."
Chairman of KWPS Lantern Merah, Chen Fie, a housewife who initially only worked at home, has now become a different figure. His leadership not only brought changes within himself, but also in the environment around him. Through her role as chairman, she has found new self-confidence, increased insight, and expanded knowledge about various activities related to women's empowerment.
“Most of our red lantern KWPS earn their living as housewives. But when we join a cooperative, we can increase our income, such as selling cakes and opening a retail shop. We progress and don't just always rely on our husbands. "We learned to be independent if women can generate their own income," said Chen Fie.
Chen Fie said that Fort Chinese women not only become economically empowered, but also empowered in terms of views and rights to access basic services. Seeing that there are still high cases of child marriage and domestic violence in Belimbing village, cooperative members can help with prevention and reporting.
"I myself have come to understand how to process birth certificates, family cards and children's identity cards. "So, it can help other people who have difficulty getting this access," added Chen Fie.
Chen Fie also admitted that with the training and discussion series, especially on women's issues, she came to understand that women's duties are not just kitchens, wells, mattresses. Cooperative members realize that they have the same rights as men. They become confident, especially in expressing their voices in the family and social environment. "We have even started to get involved in lobbying at government and service levels in Tangerang."
In the future, Chen Fie hopes that more and more women in Belimbing village will be encouraged to join cooperatives. According to him, the more women who are involved in the group, the more empowered and stronger women will be.
Iqbal also hopes that PPSW Jakarta and the local village government will continue to be actively involved in supporting the journey of KWPS Lantern Merah. With close collaboration, they strive to bring positive change to the lives of women in Belimbing Village. "Solidarity, togetherness and enthusiasm are important values in the long journey of KWPS Red Lanterns in the future."
In the end, the existence of KWPS Lantern Merah is not just a cooperative, but also a symbol of women's struggle to achieve rights and equality. By continuing to strengthen capacity and support, KWPS Lantern Merah will become an increasingly empowering forum for women in Belimbing Village.
