Each month, a group of women gather at a village cooperative in Karang Anyar, Kepahiang, Bengkulu. But they don’t come just to deposit their savings. These meetings are filled with laughter, shared stories, and collective learning. The group calls themselves Credit Union (CU) Cendrawasih, a savings and loan cooperative born from a spirit of solidarity and a shared dream of building a better future.
The women’s Credit Union was founded in September 2024 by just 12 women from diverse backgrounds—farmers, housewives, and small traders. The initial requirements were simple: an initial deposit of IDR 10,000, a mandatory monthly saving of IDR 10,000, and a voluntary savings minimum of IDR 5,000. But from these small numbers grew a strong sense of togetherness and support.
“At first, I joined because I wanted to learn how to save. But I found out that CU is not just about money—it’s also about community. We can share stories, lift each other up, and learn so many new things,” said Teka Sri Puspita, one of the CU members.
She experienced the benefits of CU firsthand. The accumulated savings helped meet essential needs, including her child’s school fees. But for members, CU Cendrawasih is more than just a financial institution. It has become a learning space that builds confidence and courage.
From Savings to Empowerment
Women’s Credit Unions are a key strategy of PERMAMPU, a consortium of civil society organisations in Sumatra and an INKLUSI Program Partner, working to empower grassroots women. Alongside CU, PERMAMPU also supports the Grassroots Women’s Forum (FKPAR) and initiates Women’s Crisis Centres (WCCs) for women’s rights advocacy.
CU serves as a practical, community-based tool for empowerment. In each meeting, members don’t just talk about finances—they also learn about reproductive health, domestic violence, and positive parenting. These sessions are facilitated by WCC cadres and PERMAMPU staff who accompany the groups.
“We provide training on gender, reproductive health, basic financial management, and even village-level advocacy. Meetings are held twice a month, and each session includes a joint learning space between the facilitators and members,” explained Juniarti Boermansyah, Program Coordinator at Cahaya Perempuan Bengkulu, a local PERMAMPU partner.
The impact of these sessions is tangible. Endang Sulastri, one of the members, shared how her perspective has shifted since joining.
“I didn’t know that women also have the right to live free from violence. Now I understand better, and I feel braver to speak up,” she said. “I used to be reserved, but now I have the confidence to express my opinions.”
Members also share experiences about parenting and family relationships. One member said that since learning healthy communication strategies, her relationship with her child has become warmer.
“Alhamdulillah, my bond with my child is stronger now. I learned how to communicate better, and we’ve become closer,” said Vopi Qildina.
Small Steps, Big Shifts
Building a women’s saving group wasn’t always easy. Some women initially faced doubts from their families.
“At first, my husband asked what the point of joining CU was. But after seeing that it helped our household economy, he became supportive,” said Jurnia, another CU member.
Recruiting new members also has its challenges. Currently, CU Cendrawasih has 16 active members and continues to encourage other women in the village to join. While the numbers are still modest, the impact is far from small.
CU Cendrawasih shows that a savings and loan cooperative can be more than just an economic institution. In the hands of rural women, it becomes a space for learning, building solidarity, and nurturing the courage to speak up and make decisions.
With support from the INKLUSI Program, PERMAMPU continues to assist rural women in gaining access to essential services, breaking free from discrimination, and participating actively in decision-making processes within their communities.
