Stories

Sipammase-Masse Constituency Group Increases Women’s Participation in Watu Village, South Sulawesi

MAMPU-BaKTI Program was a first step to encourage women’s participation in development in Watu, South Sulawesi especially in village development. Prior to MAMPU, women’s participation in village strategic planning was still low. Now, people in Watu village actively participate in Regional Development Planning Forum (Musrenbangdes) meetings.

A couple of years back, there was absence of access for women to articulate their aspiration. Among other things, women’s double roles (domestic and public) discouraged them to participate in advocating their interest. Women work to make ends meet and also responsible for significant amounts of domestic chores. In addition, the political system was not accustomed to listen to poor women and other marginalised groups who often stereotyped incapable of voicing their interest.

Knowing Watu’s people stories, MAMPU-BaKTI assisted poor women, people with disabilities, children and other marginalised groups to voice their interests as the groups believe that they could be the key to developments in their community. Through MAMPU’s various activities in Watu, the groups learned how to articulate their rights and needs. The groups gradually have their courage to voice their ideas and thoughts on village development to Watu’s people. Watu residence became aware on the importance of voicing their concerns through a constituency group.

On 30^th March, 2014, Sipammase – Masse Constituent Group (KK) was launched. This group becomes a medium for discussing members’ issues and/or exchanging solutions on social issues happening in their village. Constituency group began to grow and progress steadily. The group took a new height when head of Watu village, A. Nurhidayah embraced the group and aimed taking their aspirations to another level. The group and head of village conduct regular discussions as a medium to listen and overcome village’s issues in their community.

It did not stop there. As a result of their consistent efforts, KK Sipammase- Masse group was given a chance to support local government (PEMDA) in collecting data for Village Database System of Bone Regency. The collected data were used to advocate fundamental issues for the future development of the regency. Their success in handling the project has led to their participation as organiser of Regional Development Planning Forum (Musrenbang) in 2015. As expected, Musrenbang 2015 ran well. Through the hard work of KK Sipammase- Masse, Watu village was awarded as Desa Sadar Musrenbang in 2016.

Now, people in Watu village actively participate in Musrenbang meetings. Furthermore, KK Simpamase – Masse helped to lower the gender gap in Watu. Women participation level has increased by more than 30%. In addition, women now also sit as delegations for larger organisations. Cannot wait to hear more positive stories from this group.

* Completion of Most Significant Changes story written by A. Fatmawati Sulolipu of Bone, South Sulawesi