MoU between KAPAL Perempuan, YAO and Kupang Regency Government on Gender Watch Program

On 8 September 2016, the KAPAL Perempuan Institute and Yayasan Alfa Omega(YAO), supported by MAMPU Program, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kupang Regency Government related to “Gender Watch Movement for the Poverty Eradication”. This event was held at YAO Office Hall in Kupang. This MoU signing was a form of joint commitment to ensure social protection programs that can reach all poor people, especially for women and marginalised groups.

According to Statistic Agency in East Nusa Tenggara province, until March 2016, the number of poor people is still high, reaching 1.149 million people. It means that this province still ranks to the third poorest region in Indonesia after Papua and West Papua (Poverty Data in January 2016 from IDEAS). Kupang regency is one of the areas where poverty rates are still high that fall into the category as underdeveloped areas pursuant to Presidential Decree (Decree) No. 131 Year 2015 concerning the Stipulation of Disadvantaged Regions Year 2015-2019.

One of the efforts that have been made by KAPAL Perempuan and YAO to strengthen the capacity of the beneficiary communities, especially women, is by building the School of Women in Rural Noelbaki and Mata Air village in Kupang regency, and also in Sub Lasiana and Oesapa Village in Kupang City. Until now, there is 560 members of School of Women in these areas.

The MoU signing event was attended by the Kupang Regent Drs. Ayub Titu Eki, Chairman of Commission C DPRD Kupang Anton Natun, Chief Executive of the KAPAL Perempuan Institute Misiyah, Director of YAO Kupang Pdt. David Fina, the Steering Committee of YAO Kupang Sofia Malelak-de Haan, UKAW academic David Pandie and 560 members of School of Women in Kupang Regency and Kupang City.

Reported by: Dewi Damayanti (Partner Engagement Officer – MAMPU Program)