Our group’s mission is to increase the economic empowerment of coastal women in Aceh by providing access, training and support to develop their micro and small businesses. We are committed to strengthening the capacity of coastal women to manage their own businesses, increase their income, and improve their standard of living and that of their communities as a whole. Through a community-based approach and strong partnerships, we aim to create an inclusive and sustainable environment for coastal women to develop and succeed in entrepreneurship.
Through our mission to increase the economic empowerment of coastal women in Aceh, we also strive to promote environmental justice, climate change mitigation, and disaster resilience in the region. Here are some connections between our mission and environmental issues and disasters:
Environmental Justice: We understand that coastal women are often the group most vulnerable to negative environmental impacts, such as pollution, habitat destruction and ecosystem degradation. By empowering them economically, we also contribute to efforts to create environmental justice by giving women greater access and control in the sustainable management of natural resources.
Climate Change Mitigation: As part of our efforts to increase the economic resilience of coastal women, we also provide training and support for environmentally friendly and sustainable agricultural, fishing and natural resource management practices. This helps reduce the carbon footprint and contribution to climate change, as well as increasing resilience to its impacts.
Disaster Resilience: Coastal women are often at the forefront of facing natural disasters such as floods, tsunamis and storms. By strengthening their economic capacity, we also help increase their resilience to disasters by providing access to stronger economic resources, as well as training and knowledge to face and respond to disasters more effectively.
Through this holistic approach, we hope to create a sustainable impact for coastal women in Aceh, while contributing to environmental protection and resilience to climate change and disasters in the region. Our strategy includes efforts to fight for women’s rights in accessing and managing natural resources such as ponds, seas and rivers in our villages. We are also active in encouraging women’s involvement in decision making at the village level and ensuring that they have the right to benefit from the resources available in their villages. This effort aims to increase women’s economic empowerment and ensure their involvement in sustainable and inclusive local development.
The goal of our group’s work is to create significant change in society, especially in terms of women’s empowerment and social justice. We are determined to achieve some important changes in the world:
Women’s Empowerment: We want to see women have greater access to resources and economic opportunities, and have a more active role in decision-making at all levels of society.
Social Justice: We are committed to fighting all forms of discrimination and inequality, and fighting for a more just and inclusive system for all members of society, regardless of their background.
Environmental Sustainability: We want to support sustainable and environmentally friendly natural resource management practices, so that people can live in balance with their environment and protect nature for future generations.
Strong and Empowered Communities: We aim to strengthen local communities by empowering their members to take initiative in development and improve their quality of life collectively.
Our group prioritizes female heads of households as the main population to focus on in our work. We recognize that women in these positions often face unique challenges in earning a living and managing their family lives. By providing special support to female heads of families, we strive to increase their economic empowerment and improve the overall welfare of the family. In addition, we are also committed to supporting women from various backgrounds and identities, including women with disabilities, coastal women, and minority women.
Our group is considered self-led because the decision-making, organizational structure, and implementation of our plans are driven by our own members, particularly by the women who are the primary focus of our work, such as single mothers. Here’s how we ensure that our focus population is in control of our organization:
Active Participation: Members of our focus population, especially single mothers, are actively involved in all aspects of our organization’s life, from decision-making meetings to program implementation. They have an equal voice in determining the direction and policies of the organization.
Collaborative Decision-Making: Decisions within our group are made collaboratively through consultation and consensus-building. All members have the opportunity to voice their opinions, and their contributions are valued in the decision-making process.
Participatory Organizational Structure: Our organizational structure is designed to allow inclusive participation from members of our focus population. We encourage leadership rotation and maintain transparency in organizational management.
Education and Training: We provide education and training to our members on leadership, organizational management, and other skills necessary to effectively run the group and programs. This enables them to take active roles in managing the organization.
Evaluation and Feedback: We regularly conduct self-evaluations and seek feedback from our members, including our focus population, to ensure that our programs are meeting their needs and expectations. This allows us to continuously improve and adapt to the needs of our community.
The context in which we operate significantly impacts the focus population we work with, particularly single mothers, and influences their access to resources, opportunities, and their overall well-being. Here’s how various factors in our operating context affect our focus population:
- Laws and Policies: The legal framework and policies related to employment, social welfare, and family support can have a profound impact on single mothers. For example, discriminatory labor laws or lack of adequate childcare support may limit their employment opportunities and financial stability.
- Cultural Norms and Values: Cultural norms and values regarding gender roles and family dynamics can shape the experiences of single mothers. In some cultures, there may be stigma or social pressure against single motherhood, leading to isolation, discrimination, or lack of support.
- Practices and Ideologies: Prevailing societal practices and ideologies may perpetuate gender inequality and contribute to the marginalization of single mothers. For instance, traditional notions of masculinity and femininity may influence access to resources and decision-making power within families and communities.
- Customs and Traditions: Customary practices related to marriage, divorce, and child custody can impact single mothers’ legal rights and social standing. In communities where patriarchal customs prevail, single mothers may face challenges in asserting their rights and accessing support services.
- Economic Conditions: Economic factors such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of affordable housing can exacerbate the challenges faced by single mothers. Economic instability may force them to make difficult choices between meeting basic needs and investing in their own education or career advancement.
- Social Support Systems: Availability and accessibility of social support systems, including government assistance programs, community organizations, and informal networks, can significantly influence the well-being of single mothers. Limited support systems may leave them vulnerable to social exclusion and economic hardship.