Against the Stigma of Weak Women: Becoming an Empowered Woman in the Era of Industrial Revolution 4.0

By: Elisabeth Uru Ndaya.         

The existence of stigma among people that often discriminate against women and assume them to be weak, helpless, stupid, dependent, problem makers, etc, ignited the Multiplication program of Stube HEMAT in Sumba which focuses on women empowerment and provides opportunities for students as the next generation to learn and discuss how to appreciate women’s potencies and to fight for the rights of the oppressed women. The discussion with such the topic on Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at Alexis cafe, Waingapu, was attended by twenty students from Unkriswina.

Rev. Dr. Suryaningasih Mila, M.Si, the resource person, conveyed directions and views on the current stigma of society against Sumbanese women. She said that the emergence of a negative mindset towards women was influenced by patriarchal culture, in which the gender concept put men to be strong, mighty, brave, working for a living, productive, and working in public spaces. Then, women are assumed as emotional, gentle, motherly, patient, weak, and helpless. The existence of patriarchal culture sometimes ignited gender inequality, gender injustice, and power relation that caused violence, exploitation, discrimination, marginalization, stigma, and oppression. The impacts of negative stigma on women make women feel inferior, insecure, powerless, restricted in movement space, and underestimated in their potencies.

On this occasion, Indah Pratiwi, a Math student of Unkriswina, asked about how women to be independent against the stigma and reach out to women in the village who were discriminated. Rev. Suryaningsih responded, “Women must build critical self-awareness by changing perspectives, become active, productive, and creative. Women fight against the stigma by empowering themselves, having the right self-concept, and being critical of a culture that is not gender-just. She also emphasized that if there are women surrounded by social stigma, we should try to build equal communication, build a circle of friendship with them, embrace and listen to their stories without judgment.”

Suryaningsih encouraged young people and women to be independent in the era of the industrial revolution 4.0. Women must be technology literate, creative, and able to synergize and collaborate in order to have better bargaining power and competitiveness. This can be done by exploring one's potencies through access to education, believing in own strength, and creating space for self-development. Women can be role models and pioneers of change.

She also played a video about some young Sumbanese heroines who have worked, such as Rahel, the head of a women's farmer group, who owns a sandalwood forest, active in empowerment at the village and district level. Asti Kula held English Goes to Campus, Ampri Magi built a Sumba nature school, and Elisabeth Uru Ndaya formed a weaving group and was active in the empowerment of young people at the level of village and district.

At the end of the discussion, the participants wrote their impressions and messages. Iwan, a Law student, stated that the discussion was very interesting by adding insight and teaching him how to respect women. He hoped there will be a discussion regarding violence in dating. Ita, a Math student, felt very motivated by this discussion which made her more confident and wanted to develop her potencies. Women can do it! (EUD) ***

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