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

Abstract

Hj. Farah'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. Farah joined the Pekka union group for female heads of families in her village in North Hulu Sungai, South Kalimantan. Farah led the establishment and recruitment of members for the Pekka "Faithful Friend" group which was set up to include married women in the village's Pekka union. The Pekka union's activities have had a significant impact on Farah's life, particularly the savings and loans group. Farah's membership of this group has enabled her to develop her own business, such as her farm, and produce her own income which has helped her educate her children. Farah gained strength and support from her fellow Pekka members. This friendship network has also supported her to share her experiences of raising her children and her former husband's infidelity. Farah has also gained a lot of new knowledge about gender equality, women's rights, and social protection. Her understanding of the role of official documentation has helped enhance vulnerable women's access to marriage and divorce certificates and family cards.