Women’s Federation Indonesia: Empowering Women, Strengthening Communities, and Protecting the Environment

What is the Women’s Federation?

The Women’s Federation (WF) in Indonesia is a community group made by women, for women. This community group has spread in cities around Indonesia such as Jakarta, Bandung, and Jogja, consisting of women around the neighbourhood and area as members, where these women come together as a community to learn and grow. It mainly focuses on encouraging women to see and understand the problems around where they live, in which the Women’s Federation acts as a vessel for women to share information and problems, while also finding collaborative solutions to tackle those problems.

But what makes the Women’s Federation different is that it focuses on impacting the environment, specifically on adaptation and mitigation actions against climate change. Here, the women understand and acknowledge the threat posed by climate change, and through various programmes and initiatives, they focus on finding and implementing actions that improve their respective communities.

Impacts and Influence: Programmes Under Women’s Federation

The programmes implemented by the women in Women’s Federation are community-based. It is carried out throughout the area where they live and is aimed at not only adapting and mitigating against climate change, but also improving the overall quality of life in the area through

1. Urban Farming (Pertanian Perkoatan): the use of land areas, such as a part of the house or garden, to plant and grow vegetables.
2. Waste Management (Pengelolaan Sampah): This involves managing organic and inorganic waste and utilising it to gain economic value. For example, inorganic waste such as plastic bottles can be reused as pots for plants. In contrast, organic waste can be fermented into eco-enzymes and used as fertiliser substitutes.
3. Socialisation of Reusable Plastic Bags: This involves promoting the use of reusable plastic bags and the reduction of reliance on single-use plastic bags. The company socialises this not only to the public buyers but also to the sellers in the market. As a result, the increase in reusable plastic bags among buyers in the markets can be seen.

Both Urban Farming and Waste Management create economic sustainability. The vegetables that are grown independently in each house, as well as fertilisers made from the fermentation of organic waste, mean they no longer have to buy these products from the supermarket. In Jogja, chillies have fluctuating prices in the market, and although they do not have large land areas to plant, each house can at least grow two chilli trees, covering the costs and worry for chillies. Additionally, the chillies being grown in one’s garden and eco-enzymes (eco-enzyme harvest can reach dozens of bottles) produced from one’s own house can be sold and create profit.

Overall, these programmes also raise awareness of climate change among women in the community and the public. An initiative such as urban farming requires the community and the people to learn together to form and implement it. Through these initiatives, knowledge regarding the threat of climate change as well as how to adapt and mitigate it through their own capabilities is reinforced.

Collaborations and Support

One of the most important actors that plays a big role for the Women’s Federation is SPEAK Indonesia, which has the same interest in adaptation and mitigation actions against climate change. Through SPEAK Indonesia, the women in the Women’s Federation are given opportunities and facilities for gathering and networking. For example, SPEAK has helped the community partner at the sub-district level (kelurahan).

The Women’s Federation would create a work programme in which its activities are discussed and submitted to SPEAK Indonesia. Afterwards, SPEAK will help bridge Women’s Federation with authorised officials for the planning and implementation of the programme and assist in the work programme from the preparation until the completion. For example, in Jogja, SPEAK Indonesia has helped the community in bridging with sub-district officials for the licensing of eco bags at one of the markets in the area. After choosing a market, SPEAK Indonesia accompanied the preparation of eco bags, the socialisation process, and the programme’s implementation for sellers and visitors through education.

Subsequently, SPEAK Indonesia also helps the Women’s Federation increase its capacities and skills as women through public speaking, journalism, and facilitator training. These trainings assist in increasing women’s skills in conveying what they see and learn on social media and learning to be facilitators in their respective regions.

The Women’s Federation also works together with Radio Republik Indonesia (RRI) to share what they have done in Jogja and Dinas Lingkungan Hidup (DLH) to clean rivers with Karang Taruna.

Women’s Federation as an Amplifier for Women’s Voices: Personal Impact for Women

Aside from its various environmental community enhancement programmes, the Women’s Federation is even more notable because it acts as a catalyst for women to grow while making an impact on the community. 

Ibu Ambar, a Women’s Federation member in Jogja, heartfully emphasised how this community has helped her gain more knowledge. At first, she mentioned how the community was just a bunch of women coming together to discuss concerns in the area, but now, they could collaborate with others to solve these concerns and take action. Furthermore, the community has helped her expand her network, make new friends, and broaden her horizons through community events and formal events that allow her to meet women from all over the country who advocate for the same problems as them.

Another aspect she excitedly mentioned was how the Women’s Federation has helped her to be more confident in herself due to the new knowledge she learned and the friends she made. She can also see how the women around her have become more confident, from being hesitant to speak in public to being more confident in presenting themselves in front of people.

Another member of the Women’s Federation in Jakarta is Ibu Hartini, who highlights the Women’s Federation’s role in improving women’s knowledge and skills. For example, by joining, they can better understand how to manage organic and inorganic waste properly so that it can produce economic value and help the family’s income. Moreover, the community also helps improve skills such as sewing leftover used cloth to be made into tablecloths and doormats to be sold.

The women around her, including herself, now have very important and practical knowledge for everyday life. Before, she did not understand how to manage waste, plant organic plants, or practice urban farming. But now with the knowledge that she has learned and practised, she applies it to her everyday life and also influences others to do the same.

Another social issue Ibu Ambar touches upon is the fact that many people see women as “second class,” and we can still see this in Indonesia despite modern times. The Women’s Federation proves that each woman has potential, and we can come together to overcome issues all around us. Through this community, women can empower themselves and rise to the problem together despite the challenges.

Ibu Hartini, on the other hand, emphasised how women are still discriminated against and looked down upon, so their voices and aspirations are not heard or noticed. With the Women’s Federation, the women around her improved their capacities and abilities together, especially in public speaking in journalism, bringing forth the capability for women to speak up, voice their ideas, and express their desires as well as their goals.

The Women’s Federation is more than just a forum—it is a collective force where women can voice their concerns, collaborate, and take meaningful action to address pressing issues in their communities. Through shared knowledge, mutual support, and real-world solutions, this community continues to empower women to create lasting change.

As Bu Ambar emphasised, there is still a need to enhance women’s capacity to respond to societal issues, from waste management to clean water access. Strengthening these skills will allow them to work alongside policymakers more effectively. She also encourages women who may still hesitate to join, reminding them that the organisation is a safe space to speak up and be part of the solution. Meanwhile, Bu Hartini highlights the urgent need for greater climate awareness, calling on more women to take action, whether by joining WF or making small changes that lead to a bigger impact over time.

In the end, as Bu Ambar beautifully puts it, the strength of WF lies in its diversity—women from different backgrounds coming together to solve different problems, enriching the community as a whole. For Bu Hartini, the community is nothing short of extraordinary. It is made up of women who deeply care about the environment and are willing to dedicate their time to making a difference.

With collaboration, awareness, and action, the Women’s Federation will continue to be a powerful force for change, shaping a better future for all.

About Perupadata 

Perupadata is a media company that transforms verified news, information, and data into clear, visual stories — from infographics to reports. Founded in 2020 and registered as PT Perupa Inspira Prakarsa in 2022, Perupadata helps people spot misinformation and understand policy changes towards smarter decisions. As part of the VCA Alliance, Perupadata is proud to support collective efforts for the environment by strengthening communication strategies and amplifying the climate justice messaging clearly, louder, and more impactful.