VIENTIANE 2008:
INDONESIA
SETARA WOMEN'S COOPRATIVE:
ASSISTING WOMEN EARTHQUAKE SURVIVORS
Sri Harjanti
SETARA Women’s Cooperative Committee
Poor women strive hard in order to help the family climb out of poverty. They engage in economic activities, commonly as homeworkers in the putting-out system or as self-employed micro-entrepreneurs. During the May 2006 earthquake in Central Java, the women became the “pillar of hope” for the family - as trauma healer for their children, while helping in the clearing of debris, scouring from among the ruins whatever is left of family assets, and working in government programs at the same time. They also took charge of domestic matters, including family sustenance on a limited budget.
Five hundred forty one (around 49 percent) of the SETARA Women’s Cooperative members in the seven sectors in Yogyakarta and Klaten, Central Java were affected by the May 2006 earthquake. Their outstanding loans led to the near collapse of the SETARA Women’s Cooperative. But the timely facilitation offered by ABN Amro via Hivos made possible writing-off the loans.
Moreover, PERSEPSI (MWPRI members) linked up with the government for rehabilitation and reconstruction. Empowerment and capacity building, and trauma healing programs for the women homeworkers were also undertaken by the SETARA Women’s Cooperative. Research and mapping to advocate for policies to reduce disaster risks in the Klaten Regency Government were also conducted with assistance from Dream UPN.
The remarkable team work exhibited by members and supportive partners after the disaster created ripples of good impression in the community. Because the benefits of joining the organization were already apparent, the SETARA Women’s Cooperative membership increased with 480 new members. As of July 2007, there were 1528 women members.
To empower the poor women, specifically, the survivors of disaster, a credit scheme known as pinjaman dana talangan allows members easy access to credit. Aside from addressing membership’s basic need for cash and credit (ngalap nyaur), the Cooperative also conducts capacity building with a gender perspective, on themes such as women’s rights, reproductive health, empowerment, business, and other relevant issues.
The SETARA Women’s Cooperative is on the way to self reliance. It is now recognized as an alternative financial institution for women in Indonesia. Visitors from PPSW Jakarta, PEKA Jakarta, LP2M Padang, and Sada Ahmo North Sumatera have taken notice of the group’s achievement and continuing progress. Growing interest in the Cooperative has been manifested by the frequency of field visits and on going researches conducted by educational institutions and other agencies.
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