PROGRAM REPRESENTASI (PROREP) MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
October 2013
O CTOBER H IGHLIGHTS Taking a Step Forward Towards Women’s Economic Empowerment
“We all have a common reason that makes us proud to be HAPSARI members. We have advanced from establishing cooperatives, to providing scholarships for our members.” During their Strategic Planning Workshop in Yogyakarta, held from October 20 to 22, members of HAPSARI discuss the priority areas HAPSARI and union members need to strengthen over the next two years.
In its first phase of collaboration with USAIDProRep, the Association of Indonesia Women Unions (HAPSARI), helped hundreds of women understand how to access business capital through the government-backed loan program for small and medium-sized enterprises called KUR (Kredit Usaha Rakyat or People’s Business Credit). They also forged new relationships with local- and national-level policy makers, who renewed their commitment to improve the wellbeing of women in Indonesia. Now, in its second phase, USAID-ProRep is working with HAPSARI to scale-up its efforts by refining the strategic plan that unites its various member organizations spread across the country, as well as working to develop key capacities within their organization. To set this in motion, HAPSARI conducted a strategic planning workshop in Yogyakarta, from October 19 to 22. This was the first opportunity for the National Board of HAPASARI to vet and refine its previously defined strategic objectives with representatives from its ten member associations. Together they agreed to focus on three areas: (1) strengthening the
Lely Lubis, Head of Political Commission, National Board of HAPSARI.
representative capacity of grassroots women’s groups, (2) contributing to the women’s movement at the national level, and (3) increasing the ability of the grassroots women to improve their economic circumstances. To achieve their vision, the participants agreed that they will work to develop their skills in two areas: (1) in designing and implementing strategies for financial self-reliance, which will help their member organizations and women cadres strengthen and diversify their income generation projects, and (2) developing systems for data management, which will help HAPSARI track and share key information among its members. In addition, members involved in the first program with ProRep shared their successes and strategies with other members for potential replication in new areas across Indonesia. HAPSARI’s efforts to improve the economic condition of women will lead to a stronger social position of women in the family and society, giving them a stronger voice and the ability to make informed-decisions regarding their lives.
This newsletter is made possible by the support of the American People through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID.) The contents of this newsletter are the sole responsibility of Chemonics International and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.
PROGRAM REPRESENTASI (PROREP) MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
October 2013
O CTOBER H IGHLIGHTS
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Partnering with Research Institutions and CSOs for Organizational Growth A cornerstone of USAID’s ProRep program is institution-building – for CSOs, research institutions and the Parliament – so that they can function effectively as institutions and work together to effect policy change that benefits the people of Indonesia. To aid in this process, ProRep has expanded its long-time partnership with the leading U.S. think tank, Urban Institute, to involve specialists from their Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy (CNP). This October, consultants Mary Larzelere and Mary Winkler from the CNP conducted one-on-one meetings with think tank partners to gauge progress on their individual plans for strengthening their institutions. They also conducted a workshop with various research institutions and research-oriented CSOs to provide an overview on developing a logic model and theory of change
designed to help them clearly articulate their organization’s direction and what they intend to achieve. During the workshop, participating organizations broke into groups to further refine their organizational plans and discuss ways they could collaborate to address common challenges in areas such as enhancing research capabilities, conducting effective monitoring and evaluation, fundraising, and communications and outreach. Current members of the Policy Research Network, also extended an invitation for other organizations to participate in the network. The CNP and ProRep are in the process of reviewing the recommendations resulting from the individual meetings and the workshop to support strategic needs for partners as they aim to develop as institutions and contribute more substantively to the policy making process.
Using Performance Art to Increase Public Awareness of Migrant Workers Issues
Cakrawala Timur, a CSO in East Java working to advocate for the interests of former migrant workers, held an artistic performance to raise broad awareness of issues related to migrant workers in Tulungagung district, East Java, on October 12, 2013. With limited employment options close to home, many men and women have opted to go abroad in search of employment. Lacking information on the process of legal recruitment and the potential risks they face, many workers have gone abroad without proper documentation and have subsequently been mistreated and abused, physically, physiologically, and economically.
Top: A woman activist reads a poem on the suffering of migrant workers who are mistreated and abused when working abroad. Below: A group of women playing roles as migrant workers sharing the challenges they faced making arrangements that would allow them to work abroad legally.
Cakrawala Timur is using various methods, including photo exhibits and performance art, to highlight the disturbing realities faced by workers abroad and the difficulties they face getting back on their feet when they return home to Indonesia. They are calling on policymakers to take action to protect these workers and their families.
PROGRAM REPRESENTASI (PROREP) MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
October 2013
O CTOBER H IGHLIGHTS
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Media Professionals Join the Effort for Budget Transparency
Greater awareness of how the budget is developed, negotiated, and implemented will allow citizens and organizations to better monitor the process, and help ensure that government spending benefits those most in need in Indonesia. Journalists can play a key role in informing the public on budget issues, but most do not understand the process sufficiently. USAID-ProRep is partnering with the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) to train media professionals on how to cover the state budget process through the media. Pictured above, journalists participate in a two-day course on budget issues in Padang, West Sumatera, held on October 19 to 20, 2013.
W HAT ’ S C OMING I N NO VEMBER ?
Public Discussion on Constituency Offices or Rumah Aspirasi. The discussion is intended to gather information and perspectives on the issue of establishing district offices for Members to improve the quality of constituent services. It will be held November 27, 2013, in Jakarta.
Media briefing on election budget transparency and accountability. The State Finance Accountability Coalition (KUAK), a coalition of CSOs working for transparency in the use of public funds, will conduct a media briefing calling for an accountable election process and strong public participation to monitor public funds used for the elections. The media briefing is scheduled to be held in Jakarta on November 12, 2013.
Art performance, city carnival and photo exhibit to promote issues faced by migrant workers. ProRep grantee Cakrawala Timur will hold a series of public events to advocate for improved conditions of current and former migrant workers. The events will be held in several places including Tulungagung and Blitar from November 24 to 26, 2013.
Social media for advocacy training. Government staff and representatives from research institutions will learn how to use social media to support their communication and outreach, and build and strengthen their networks. The four-day training will be held in Jakarta from November 25 to 28, 2013.
Program Representasi (ProRep) is a three to five year project on democracy and governance supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Its aim is to improve representation in Indonesia by increasing the inclusiveness and effectiveness of groups and institutions that seek to express people’s interests to government and by increasing the transparency and effectiveness of legislative processes. Program Representasi (ProRep) is implemented by Chemonics International in partnership with the Urban Institute, Social Impact and Kemitraan. For more information visit www.prorep.or.id or contact us at prorep@prorep.or.id.