Koperasi Setia Budi Wanita (Setia Budi Wanita women's co-operative) East Java, Indonesia
Wan, Y.S.
Rural development and women lessons from the field, Vol II: 25-38
1985
Document Number: 363732
Koperasi Setia Budi Wanita (SBW) is presented as forming a dynamic linkage between urban and rural areas. It was founded by middle class women in the municipality of Malang in 1977, but soon cut across class and occupational boundaries and moved first to the poorer areas of Malang (urban villages) and then to the rural areas. It has developed a system of collective responsibility and discipline (tanggung renteug), using existing elements common in Indonesian society, arisan (credit rotating associations) and gotong royong (mutual help). The paper outlines socioeconomic conditions in East Java province and the background to the Indonesian women's movement before examining the organizations, membership and funding of SBW in more detail. The final section discusses the problems encountered before concluding that the experience of the SBW venture can be of value to various other Third World countries. Particular importance is attached to the credit rotating associations which are well known institutions in many Third World countries and could activate funds for low-income families without collateral in need of low-interest credit. The concept of self discipline and collective responsibility without any outside control is also indicated as being of great importance to poor women.