Women’s economic empowerment can begin with simple steps: building a savings habit, managing finances regularly, and developing collective business ventures. This initiative has taken shape through Kelompok Usaha Perempuan Sejahtera (KUPAS), a women’s business group for waste pickers living at Pinus Elok Public Housing in Jakarta, with support from CARE Indonesia and its partners.
Through KUPAS, members gain access to group savings and interest-free loans to develop their businesses. The initiative has fostered a range of economic activities, from selling traditional Indonesian fritters to growing hydroponic vegetables, as well as a collective catfish and tilapia farming venture supported by IDR 4.5 million in group capital.
Beyond creating income-generating opportunities, KUPAS strengthens women’s financial management skills through regular and transparent bookkeeping. The jointly developed savings management system helps build trust among members while laying the foundation for collective business development.
These empowerment efforts are also fostering change within households. Greater awareness of gender equality encourages husbands to take a more active role in domestic work, helping families share household responsibilities more equitably.
Through capacity building, access to capital, and group solidarity, KUPAS demonstrates how community-based initiatives can create more inclusive economic opportunities. These efforts contribute to strengthening women’s economic independence, building household financial resilience, and creating opportunities for communities to grow together.
