My Husband Supports Me

The ENVISION (Enabling Civil Society for Inclusive Village Development) project funded by the European Union, through Technical Guidance for the Preparation of a Quality RPJMDes-RKPDes & APBDes provides opportunities for Village Governments, BPD (Village Supervisory Body), and BUMDES Management to increase their capacity in preparation of quality village development plans with a gender perspective. The project, which was funded by the European Union and implemented by Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) and the Alfa Omega Foundation, was implemented in 20 villages in Kupang Regency.

One of the participants in the Bimtek (technical guidance) activity which was held from 6 to 8 April 2022 in Kupang was Filda Koanak who is the Secretary of Bokonusan Village. During these 3 day of training, she also brought his child who was still breastfeeding to the training site so that she could continue to participate in activities to the fullest and also meet the nutritional needs of his young children.

The challenges faced by Filda as a female village official as well as a mother and wife also influenced Mrs. Filda's process of pursuing her goals and career. He said, “Because I am the new Village Secretary, I should have had more time to study. However, because I am also a housewife and a breastfeeding mother, my time is also reduced. There is not enough time for me to study.” She also explained that during working hours or meetings at the village office, she had to share time to stay home and breastfeed her toddler.

Even so, Filda is grateful because there is support from her husband so that she can share time to work and take care of the household. Filda's husband, Pace, has also participated in the GESI Training Activity for Husbands from Village Apparatus and BUMDes management carried out by YAO as a form of implementation of the ENVISION project to support more inclusive village economic development.

According to Filda, this training is also very good for increasing awareness of husband and wife regarding gender, especially the husband's support for career development as village officials.

“As a new female leader, I need training for capacity building for my role as village secretary. Thank you YAO for providing this useful training because it helped me technically to carry out my duties," she concluded.

*This publication was produced with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of Wahana Visi Indonesia and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.

Written by: Yumiati Roga, FP Project ENVISION, Wahana Visi Indonesia