An Attractive and Empowering Exhibition by the Peace Women

There was an unusual view at the lobby of the Golden Ballroom of The Sultan Hotel and Residence on Friday (2/8). The rural atmosphere with bamboo design adorned the left and right sides of the entrance of the ballroom. The most prominent sight was the booth on the left, which was full of neatly-arranged batik wallets, bags and various snacks such as chips and cookies that were beautifully wrapped in colorful packaging.

A series of activities highlighted the book launch event of the Standard Operating Procedures of 9 Indicators for Peace Villages/Kelurahans in collaboration with the Wahid Foundation and UN Women. In addition to regional art shows and a talk show by the main speakers, namely, Central Java Governor, Ganjar Pranowo; National Counterterrorism Agency (BNPT)  Regional and Multilateral Cooperation Director, Andhika Chrisnayudhanto; Wahid Foundation Executive Director, Mujtaba Hamdi; and Commissioner of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), Riri Khariroh, the exhibition by the women from the Peace Villages, assisted by the Wahid Foundation, also  enlivened the event, titled “Nusantara”.

In total there were nine products brought by women, who participated in the exhibition: Five products from Gemblegan, two from Nglinggi, one from Pengasinan, Depok, and one from Candirenggo. The various products were decoupage crafts, book covers and canvas bags by Kencana Cahaya Group, lurik bags by Laris Manis Group, onde-onde ketawa traditional snacks by TT Jaya Group, cassava leaf jerky by Melati Group, both beef lung and eel chips by Jambu Merah Group, various cookies made by One Cookies by women from Pengasinan, Depok, and screen-printed tote bags by women from Candirenggo.

Sri Handayaning (51) from Gemblegan Village, who was actively involved in the product exhibition, expressed the enthusiasm of those who attended the exhibition. "I, as the craft booth attendant, felt the positive responses from the people. There were Japanese people, who bought jute notebook covers," said the woman who is usually called Cicik.

One positive feedback came from the Klaten Regent, Sri Mulyani, who had previously ordered batik deco wallets made by the Wahid Foundation's assisted women from Cahaya Kencana Group. The Klaten Regent Sri Mulyani directly expressed her appreciation for the Peace Village empowerment program carried out by the Wahid Foundation, especially in Gemblegan and Nglinggi Villages, "One of the keys to community empowerment is through honing skills, this is what Wahid did for the women’s groups. Hopefully, skill sharpening activities will be increasingly developed so as to further expand the network and market, "commented Sri Mulyani.

The products displayed were the curation result of a collection of products made by the Wahid's assisted villages women’s groups, who joined the SCORE training process to be given guidance on packaging and marketing. The short and solid preparation paid off because more than 60% of the products were purchased by the exhibition visitors.

"My hope is that the regional government can be more supportive of the Peace Village program activities that we have done. And of course, more regions can follow our footsteps of peace in order to create an Indonesia without discrimination, intolerance and radicalism!” said Mrs. Cicik firmly.

By: Ester Pandiangan