Hj. Aminah, Head of the Village Pekka Union and Papadaan Group, North Hulu Sungai, South Kalimantan

Abstract

Hj. Aminah's story is part of a peer-reviewed edited volume of women's life stories that draws on detailed ethnographic research of village women's lived experiences and how they, individually and collectively, have taken action to influence village development in Indonesia's multi-level governance structure under the new Village Law in Indonesia. The analysis identifies the processes of women's empowerment, their involvement in grassroots women's collective action, engagement with civil society organisations, and how women influence village institutions, policies, development spending and priorities, and new projects as well as social norms in communities.

Hj. Aminah is the leader of the Pekka union in her village in North Hulu Sungai, South Kalimantan. Initially the women's group were not welcomed at village meetings, but they persisted and have gained recognition in village decision and policy making as well as confidence to express their opinions in public. Hj. Aminah was central in the formation of a Village Enterprise (BUMDes) through which she and other Pekka members advocated for a Village Regulation on a Village Enterprise of fish farming and stock raising. Hj. Aminah's leadership in many village organisations demonstrates how she has experienced significant growth after taking part in PEKKA training and leading the village Pekka union. Through the Pekka union other female heads of families have also gained new skills, formed strong networks, and improved their economic capacities.