Sociology lecturers consisting of Wida Ayu Puspitosari and Dewi Puspita Rahayu initiated a community service activity that focuses on increasing women’s capacity in identifying village problems and potentials, Wednesday (20/7/2022). This activity was carried out in Kabuna Village, Kakuluk Mesak District, Belu Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province.
Wida revealed that many women in the border village experienced vulnerability conditions, one of which was related to customary issues.
“Women have a weak position when it comes to negotiating with custom, even though it is women themselves who are able to identify the snares of tradition and try to mobilize social change,” he said.
According to Wida, custom can also be a starting point where other multidimensional problems lead to such difficulties as meeting basic needs, parenting problems, and prioritizing children’s education funds and other health problems.
That’s why Wida explained that there are three ways that can be done to optimize the capacity of women who are at the border. First, optimizing village funds to support entrepreneurship.
“This is intended to empower women’s economic independence,” explained the alumni of the Masters of the University of Indonesia.
The second is the negotiation of women’s groups with customary institutions to support social transformation without reducing the essence of existing cultural values.
“This negotiation is aimed at reducing the level of poverty caused by cultural aspects,” continued Wida.
And lastly, the priority of education and health funds for village women.
“For this point, the goal is to reduce the number of early marriages and maternal deaths,” said Wida.
These three tips emerged after they carried out community service in Indonesia-Timor Leste border area.
Furthermore, UB Sociology academics will continue to carry out similar activities to continue to empower women in border areas. [Humas UB/ Trans. Iir]
