PEKKA: Women-Headed Household Empowerment

Abstract

Grass-roots member-owned cooperatives for female heads of households in rural Indonesia (PEKKA) empower the female members through three economic activities: community-based microfinance through savings and borrowing; a closed trading and marketing system, branded as PEKKA Mart; and economic lobbying and advocacy. Through their membership of the cooperative, female heads of households are increasing their voice and agency over economic decision-making. They increase their access to and control over resources through saving and borrowing activities, as members use loans from the cooperative to access land and improve control over their microbusinesses (e.g. pricing, investment). Access to and control over capacity building through links with the PEKKA Foundation and the exchange of information within the nationwide network of cooperatives are important enabling factors to increasing awareness and capabilities.