Mengayu: a community that exists for women

from She Builds Peace E-zine

by actglobalcic

Sexual Violence in Bali

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Mengayu: a community that exists for women

"Mengayu is one of the communities in East Java's Jember district that was established in 2020 as a result of the Indonesian Women's Coalition (KPI) job training program in collaboration with the Job Training Center (BLK). "

WHO IS THE FOUNDER OF MENGAYU?

Riza Nisriinaa,

A law graduate student at the University of Jember who is currently studying to become an advocate, founded this community. Riza stated that she was involved in the Jember Community Legal Aid Institute (LBHM) and the Jember Branch of the Indonesian Women's Coalition (KPI) while still in college.

Riza frequently met vulnerable women there, which is a term for people who have experienced domestic violence, violence in relationships, or have lost their jobs. They not only requested and required legal assistance, but they also required economic, social, and psychological assistance. Of the 14 women who participated in the KPI program, some of them were victims of domestic violence (KDRT), and violence in dating (KDP), they complained about financial difficulties. Paying rent, children's education costs, and daily meals are just a few examples. It was because they lacked the confidence to start their own company. Those are what inspired her to establish Mengayu.

The Vision

Restore vulnerable women's self-esteem and reduce their financial burden.

The Mission

Providing Job Training and Creating

Women-Friendly Workplaces

Bring our vulnerable women (Partners) together with housewives / elderly women (Consumers) to talk, connect, and strengthen each other.

Currently, the Mengayu community's reach is limited in Jember, East Java. This community focuses on economic empowerment, but it does not rule out the possibility of future outreach.

Mengayu collaborated extensively with the Garwita Institute to provide psychological support to traumatized victims. Furthermore, the female victims, who were members of this community, received on-the-job training with the assistance of Salon Gaul Jember partners. This collaboration is carried out so that victims who already are Mengayu members can receive direct guidance from specialists. The victim's needs will be met through a customized assistance program, and each program will be evaluated. The mentoring program is carried out for an indefinite time because each victim has different traumas and healing abilities.

Mengayu has so far enjoyed the research, unlearn, and relearn process that they have devised. All of this, of course, is possible with the assistance and prayers of friends and relatives who have cared for and assisted this community. The Mengayu community hopes that through the program that has been carried out, every woman who is a member of the Mengayu community will be financially and mentally stable in the future.