Stories

Ivani: Understanding Social Protection as a Right

Elizabeth Yunita Ivani (27), or Ivani, was originally came from East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) and has lived for fifteen years in Surabaya and Gresik. Her husband is from the village of Kesamben Kulon and they have a son. Her life journey since adolescence has not been smooth and this has given her a character as strong as steel. Living away from her parents and family in her hometown, she never felt despair. She lived life wholeheartedly thanks to her own efforts.

The presence of the Gender Watch Program, supported by KPS2K (Women and Sources of Life Group) and the MAMPU Program, has been well received. Ivani initially hesitated to join but she was curious and always attended the regular meetings at the School of Women. In fact, she became addicted to the discussions because it was very closely related to the circumstances of her everyday life: about eradicating poverty, the need to struggle for social rights, about women’s leadership, and reproductive health.

“I didn’t trust in the KPS2K when they invited me to join the School of Women. But after I attended some activities, I become addicted and consider the material presented to be very important for me to know,” said Ivani.

“I always review the study modules provided by the School of Women. I would like study a lot in order to share the knowledge I gaines with others,” she added.

Ivani has been involved in some MAMPU’s trainings, including those which held in Pacet, Tretes Raya and Surabaya. What she gained from the trainings by the School of Women, and all the other trainings too, has brought changes in Ivani. She becoming a capable speaker in front of forums, she also now can negotiate with the village government and heads of neighbourhood on matters related to social rights, which have not yet been emphasized enough to the most deserving.

In the past, Ivani used to be shy and scared if she was speaking to people in authority. Moreover she was not a native of the village. But now, she realizes that wherever she is, she still has the social rights and the right to express her opinions.

Ivani gets invited to every village meeting and her involvement in it has made her increasingly motivated to help the people who live around her to understand their social rights, such as: subsidized rice for the poor, JAMKESMAS (health insurance), BOS, etc.

Gresik District Government even has officially recruited Ivani to their Community Monitoring Team in her village. One of the team’s tasks is to supervise the implementation of the social protection programs provided by the government in her village. In addition, Ivani has also been entrusted with the job as the Chief Editor of a newspaper for women in rural areas, called Koran Gema Perempuan Pedesaan, published every two months by the School of Women which is supported by MAMPU.

Ivani aspires to be a reliable facilitator in order to motivate women, especially poor women, to advance themselves and to have a good understanding regarding social protection rights, so that they can pull themselves up through their own efforts.

She also hopes that the School of Women will be recognized by the government and the community as a school in the non-formal sector that will serve to empower women and give them an understanding of social protection. According to Ivani, the School of Women’s activities can assist the government as well.

Completion of Most Significant Changes’ Story, written by Rumi from Gresik, East Java Province