MAMPU Facilitates Inter-Party Dialogue in Aceh

Notes on the trip by BAPPENAS to where MAMPU works in Aceh

Poverty is not only measured by the amount of income one has. Lack of access to basic rights that enable one to live a secure life is also a form of poverty. And because poverty is multi-faceted, efforts to reduce it must involve many parties.

With this understanding, BAPPENAS met with representatives of poor women, the local government in Banda Aceh, and civil society organizations, in the village of Alue Deah Teungoh, Meuraxa District, Banda Aceh on 19 October. Flower Aceh, a partner of MAMPU and member of the PERMAMPU consortium, organized the event.

Deputy Speaker of the Aceh House of Representatives, Irwan T. Djohan, said that his attendance was aimed at getting feedback on how the provincial assembly could play a role in the empowerment of women. According to Djohan, up to that point, the budget had always been seen as being an obstacle, whereas in fact policies that support women needed to be fought for.

“Actually, there is a policy at the local level that requires local governments to allocate 1% of the total regional budget for women’s empowerment programs. Women— and women’s activists— have the right to utilize these funds,” said Irwan.

There were intensive discussions between the community and the local government of Aceh. Many questions were raised by the women who were present, mostly related to the BPJS Health. This dialogue proved to be effective for the community members as they could ask about things they did not understand well, and also lodge their complaints. At the same time, the discussions provided the opportunity for the local government to explain things that were important and respond to the complaints.

The meeting was attended by Woro Srihastuti Sulistyaningrum and Chaeruniza Fitriyani from BAPPENAS, Deputy Speaker of the Aceh House of Representatives, staff from BAPPEDA’s provincial office in Aceh, the regional public health office, regional social services, Head of Meuraxa Sub-district, along with village heads from neighbouring villages, traditional leaders, religious leaders, staff from BPJS Health and other community representatives.

Forum Komunitas Perempuan Akar Rumput (Grassroots Women’s Community Forum or FKPAR), from eight provinces in Sumatra, attended the meeting which was also held to commemorate the International Day of Rural Women (15 October) and International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October). The eight FKPAR delegations were from Aceh, North Sumatra, West Sumatra, Jambi, Bengkulu, South Sumatra, Riau and Lampung.

At the end of the event, 64 women from FKPAR Sumatra, representing women in 8 provinces in Sumatra, read out statements in which they opposed all forms of poverty and the impoverishment of women on the island of Sumatra, and urged the government to prioritize the following policies:

1. The government must ensure that data on poverty in Sumatra is revised and accurate.
2. The government must guarantee the availability of non-formal education through Paket A, B, C (equivalent to primary, junior and senior high school) free of charge so that poor women can gain access to education at these levels.
3. The government must ensure that comprehensive reproductive health services are available to poor women, including pap smears and IVA Tests in particular, and financed by BPJS Health.
4. The government must guarantee the fulfillment and protection of the rights of women who are victims of violence and take firm action against the perpetrators of violence, especially those committing acts of sexual violence.
5. The government must guarantee access to viable work for women homeworkers.