“From Economic Empowerment to Self Confidence”: Utilizing of Livelihood Asset for Women

Abstract

Various poverty reduction programs targeting women as actors have been carried out decades, one example being the Maju Mandiri Indonesian Women's Village Model (PRIMA Village). However, only a few of those programs have succeeded in increasing women's capacity, to be a decision-makers in using livelihood assets. This livelihood asset research model is used to determine the survival strategies of women in Sambirejo Village through two steeps of identification (1) identification of village potential and product potential, (2) identification of human resources. Sambirejo Village, Gunung Kidul regency, DIY province is an example of the PRIMA Village Model in the form of the "Kelorisation Program" means planting Moringa in the fields and processing Moringa as a household product for economic improvement.This study is a descriptive qualitative approach based on primary and secondary data. Some techniques for obtain data are in-depth interviews, observation, Focus Group Discussion and research document. Then data analysis is classified into data collection, data reduction, data presentation, and data conclusion in order to understand how far the women group in the village use and maintain livelihood assets throughout their lives.This study found that the program of prima has succeeded in increasing women's house hold income, as well as improving self-confidence. Women have succeeded in using all potential/resources, both natural and social in order to increase their capacity as human beings. Economic development impacted on women capacity and independency in refusing sharkloan and it positively impacts on their mental health.