Tolnaku: Nine years ago, Monika Edel Trudis Baranahat moved from Kupang City to Tolnaku Village in East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia, embarking on a new chapter of her life after marriage. In her new surroundings, she encountered entrenched gender norms that shaped the lives of local women. Through the WE NEXUS project, an initiative funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and implemented by UN Women in collaboration with Save the Children and CIS Timor, Monika developed her leadership skills and collaborated with three other women to establish a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). This initiative has empowered women to manage finances, speak up, and participate in public forums.
According to UN Women, Monika initially perceived her move to Tolnaku as merely relocating to a new village, unaware that it would entail learning a radically different way of life. Having grown up in Kupang, where girls were encouraged to study, share their opinions, and dream about their futures, she encountered a stark contrast in Tolnaku. Here, women worked tirelessly but were rarely given the opportunity to speak during village meetings or influence decisions impacting their families. Many accepted this way of life without questioning it.
Tolnaku's culture is deeply patriarchal, with traditional expectations defining what women can say, do, and aspire to. Women had limited space to express their opinions, voice their aspirations, or choose their paths. Customary and government matters often relegated women to the sidelines, while men were given the space to speak.
Monika faced these challenges firsthand. During her first pregnancy, she was expected to continue physically demanding tasks, such as tending crops and collecting firewood. She delivered her baby on the back of a pickup truck before reaching the nearest health facility. This experience underscored the enormous responsibilities women carry, even as their needs and voices are often overlooked.
Recognizing the need for change, Monika realized that it had to start with building trust. She learned the local dialect, embraced local traditions, and worked alongside other women. As trust grew, conversations about women's participation became easier. Through the WE NEXUS project, Monika learned about leadership, gender equality, and community participation. Together with other women, they established a VSLA, which not only helps women save money and access small loans but also provides a space for mutual support, idea exchange, and building confidence.
Today, more women in Tolnaku speak during village meetings and contribute to discussions shaping their community. Women who once doubted themselves are now more confident in sharing their ideas and supporting one another. For Monika, resilience is about having a community that stands together.
A significant change has also occurred within Monika's own family. She and her husband are raising their son and daughter with values of respect, responsibility, and opportunity, irrespective of gender. Although there is a long journey ahead, each woman who finds the courage to speak, every family that chooses equality, and every community that values women's voices contributes to a stronger society.
Monika often emphasizes that if they cannot pass on wealth to their children, they should at least not pass on patriarchy. Instead, they should bequeath the confidence to lead, the willingness to support one another, and the resilience to build a better future together.