Ramba village: Once hesitant to speak during village meetings, Febrianti now serves as Chair of the Women's Economic Business Group Kelompok Usaha Ekonomi Perempuan (KUEP), leading around 25 women in learning to manage their finances and creating a safe space for women to grow hand-in-hand in Ramba Village, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia. Through the WE NEXUS project, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented by UN Women with Yayasan CARE Peduli and Karsa Institute, she strengthened her confidence, leadership, and financial management skills. Today, she supports women to build economic resilience through KUEP while helping create a community where women and children are better protected and women have a stronger voice in village decision-making.
According to UN Women, Febrianti's journey began with a personal struggle. "There was a time when I believed my role was simply to sit quietly and listen," she recalls. During village meetings, despite having ideas, she often refrained from speaking out due to fear of being wrong or ignored. This sentiment was common among women in her village, who, despite their hard work for their families, rarely had their voices heard in decision-making processes.
Life in Ramba Village presents challenges, with most families relying on farming. Economic hardships due to floods or failed harvests often left women stretching their resources to ensure food on the table and children's education. Many families resorted to borrowing from Bank Emok, an informal lender with high interest rates, increasing financial pressure. Febrianti's transformation began with trainings on leadership, public speaking, gender equality, disaster preparedness, and financial literacy provided by Yayasan CARE Peduli and Karsa Institute. These experiences not only equipped her with new skills but also altered her self-perception, boosting her confidence and determination to inspire other women.
Today, as the leader of KUEP, Febrianti has helped create a supportive environment where women can save money, access interest-free loans, and assist each other during tough times, particularly for women farmers. Post-harvest, many women save through KUEP, providing a crucial safety net during floods, which can devastate their livelihoods. The group's efforts emphasize building resilience through collective preparation and support.
Significant changes have occurred in Ramba since it became a Women-Friendly and Child-Caring Village. More women now participate in village planning and decision-making. Community-based mechanisms like Perlindungan Anak Terpadu Berbasis Masyarakat offer support for women and children facing violence, underscoring that their protection is a communal responsibility.
Reflecting on her journey, Febrianti expresses pride in her achievements. From a housewife hesitant to speak in public, she has progressed to leading KUEP, chairing the village cooperative, and contributing to village development planning. She defines resilience as the ability to move forward despite fear and hardship, learning from challenges, and empowering other women to lead change.
Source: UN Women