In the Words of Nursinah: “I felt it was my duty to take action and support the women in our community”

Nursinah, a 46-year-old single mother from Samili village in Bima Regency, West Nusa Tenggara in Indonesia, is a dedicated advocate for women’s empowerment and child protection. She works as a Family Planning facilitator and youth counsellor for the local government’s Agency for Women Empowerment, Child Protection, and Family Planning. Inspired by her participation in the Kampo Mahawo (Peace Village) program, led by Wahid Foundation, La Rimpu and the LP2DER with support from UN Women and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), Nursinah and her colleagues established Seruni, a women’s group aimed at empowering women and youth in her village. 

In Samili, women often face significant challenges. We are underestimated, our voices are ignored during public meetings, and many of us feel too intimidated to share our opinions or ideas. 

That began to change when I joined the Kampo Mahawo program in July 2024. Over the course of the training, which lasted through August, I learned how to be an effective village facilitator. By October, we had established Seruni, our village’s first women’s group. 

The training taught me about the barriers that women face and the role facilitators can play in addressing them, especially in areas like women’s empowerment and child protection. I also gained the confidence to discuss these issues openly and present my ideas to the village head—a step I had never taken before. 

Why am I so passionate about women’s empowerment and child protection? Samili has faced countless cases of violence against women and child abuse. I felt it was my duty to take action and support the women in our community. 

Through the Kampo Mahawo program, I also gained a deeper understanding of public policies that directly affect the lives of women in Samili. This knowledge has been instrumental in shaping our efforts to create meaningful change. 

Following the training, we founded Seruni, a women’s group named after the chrysanthemum flower. Seruni is made up of women who understand the struggles our community faces. Together, we provide vocational training to help women and youth acquire new skills, create economic opportunities, and become more self-reliant. Our membership includes women, housewives, young people, and individuals with disabilities. By working together, we aim to build a stronger, more supportive community for everyone in Samili.