Based on statistics, the total number of women in Indonesia is more than men. With such a huge number, women should be more empowered both as subjects and objects of the nation building.

Women play an important role in life. Women are the main fortress in the family. Improved quality of human resources start from women's role in providing education to their children.

Economic growth will spur industrial growth and increased quality of life fulfillment. In this sector, women can help the improvement of the families’ economy through various channels, both entrepreneurial as well as an educated workforce.

The Gender Development Index of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) shows that Indonesia ranks 96th of 157 countries in Southeast Asia in the Gender Empowerment Index (UNDP Human Development Report, 2009). Two major issues of gender equality for women in Indonesia are the lack of access to education and the equality in wages payment.

Considering the huge potential of Indonesian women for the country’s development has inspired the Putera Sampoerna Foundation to establish “Sahabat Wanita” (Friends of Women” aiming to improve the access for women with financial difficulties to gain knowledge so they can help to improve the welfare of the families. The Putera Sampoerna Foundation also established a cooperative to help women contribute to their families by establishing small businesses through management and micro-financing training. The program is expected to foster strong social networks and the rise of national movement of women's leadership that will contribute to national development.

Sahabat Wanita operates through Sahabat Wanita Foundation and the Sahabat Wanita Cooperative. Sahabat Wanita Foundation focusing on addressing issues related to gender equality and the empowerment of women. With the support from various partners, including Putera Sampoerna Foundation, Sahabat Wanita Foundation offers training programs on health, hygiene, nutrition, family planning, home economics, as well as legal aid services.

Sahabat Wanita Cooperative provides financial assistance for women with the lowest economic capabilities within the community groups. Sahabat Wanita Foundation takes on the role as "surrogate mother" for the Sahabat Wanita Cooperative by providing supervision services as well as activities designed to solve the problems of women and families. Sahabat Wanita Cooperative was established with the purpose of gathering and organizing women from all levels of societies to the social groups at national level.

Sahabat Wanita is one of initiatives from the Putera Sampoerna Foundation to increase the participation of women in the economic development of the families, and later the national economy, by giving them access to information about education, economics, health, and others. To enable the program to reach more women in the country, Sahabat Wanita needs the support from all stakeholders, including government, private sectors, and individuals. Women empowerment is not only the responsibility of some people, but it is the responsibility of us as members of the communities who wish to see the women in this country actively involved in promoting the national economy.

Click here for more information on how to contribute for this program.