- The Kopernik team facilitated a discussion on economic solidarity at the Poso Women's Congress
- Women performed traditional dances at the event
- Poso Women's Congress provided an open space for discussion between women
- The stunning view en route to Poso: mountains, green hills, rice fields and the clear blue Tentena Lake
Most Indonesians know Poso, Central Sulawesi, as a conflict zone. But I don't want to focus on the conflict, Instead, I want to tell you about what women in Poso are doing for peace.
In 2013, Kopernik partnered with Mosintuwu Institute to connect technology with communities in Poso. After we had raised the funds to send the technology, this project was ready to launch. In March, I travelled to Central Sulawesi with my colleague Rara to attend the Poso Women's Congress.
POSO AND MOSINTUWU INSTITUTE
We flew to Palu via Makassar and continued to Poso by car – a seven hour drive. The stunning view en route: mountains, green hills, rice fields and the clear blue Tentena Lake.
When we arrived in Poso, we showered, ate breakfast, then headed straight to the opening of the congress. This event was held at Mosintuwu Instute, right next toTentena Lake. This beautiful building, made from bamboo and rattan, is used by women to meet and study. Daily activities include classes for girls, discussions about women's and children's rights, an entrepreneurship program, and a small library for kids.
A LONG WALK TOWARDS PEACE
At 10am, the Poso Women's Congress begun. The simple goal of the event: to open a space for discussion between women in Poso, where a strong patriarchal culture has traditionally limited what women can do, especially when it comes to taking concrete actions to support peace.
Over three days, around 450 women from 70 villages in 14 districts came together to discuss women's and children's rights, domestic violence, women's rights to public services, economic solidarity, and women's participation in politics, customs, and culture. Some women walked for two days to reach the congress. That's how important this safe space for discussion was for them.
Rara and I facilitated the discussion on economic solidarity – how can women cooperate to support micro-entrepreneurship and improve the standard of living in post-conflict communities? We introduced Kopernik's range of simple technologies, and discussed how to start a business, overcome economic challenges, and gain the skills and knowledge to become successful businesswomen.
WOMEN'S VOICES MUST BE HEARD
This was my first experience working in a community where women are extremely marginalised. Their voices are not being heard simply because they were born aswomen. But the women who joined the congress have recognised that in order to sustain peace in Poso, they must strive to overcome these limitations. The entire community needs to be part of the process.
After three days of lively discussion, the congress was over. Rara and I returned to Ubud, and the women went back to their villages. On the journey home, I remembered a proverb: you don't miss the water until the well runs dry.
This was very true for me. After spending time in a place where women have to strive so hard for their voices to be heard, I now value even more my ability to freely express myself.
In my opinion: Kopernik not only distributes simple technology to reduce poverty, but also opens a path to economic empowerment for women. And in places like Poso, this path leads toward a lasting peace.
