Establishing Independent and Creative Women

A strong patriarchal culture that is still exist in society makes women vulnerable to domestic violence. Dependency on men in the household causes women silent when they receive unpleasant or violent treatment. This mistake not only comes from men but also from the women because they lack of gender understanding, education, and entirely dependency on man.

These conditions are the challenge for women from time to time. I am Elisabeth Uru Ndaya, a young woman who have been involved in Stube-HEMAT trainings, I have concerns and want to do something beneficial for Sumbanese women, especially in my own village, in Tanatuku, the congregation of Sumbanese Christian Church of Karunggu. Through women empowerment in economic and employment aspects, women are expected to be able to improve their lives in this village. By increasing skills and expertising women's resources through production, entrepreneurship, and business management, woman will be able to take part larger than domestic life.

After having discussion with Petrus Ndakularak, the Pastor and Chairman of the assembly in Sumbanese Christian Church of Karunggu, and several youths, it was finally decided to revive the women commission and youth commissions that were not active for a long time. On September 1, 2019 became the starting point for me to approach women in a small forum in one  house of the church member in Karunggu, accompanied by one church assembly.

I was very grateful because I am the only one who has not married yet among them (commonly girls are young married). The meeting itself was attended by 11 women and all of them are housewives. In the first session, we started our discussion with an opening prayer, shared problems they often face in taking care of  family, discussed their involvement in organization and observed what skills they have besides being a housewife. In the second session I gave them an understanding and awareness of equality, how to run creative economy and in the last session I suggested idea that every meeting held is not just a gathering but also such a social women movement.

This is my first step in accompanying women commission of Sumbanese Church of Karunggu to encourage them to involve in one fellowship. Hopefully, with the presence of women commission, it will increase their family welfare. (ELZ).