BNI Empowers 430 NTT Women Through the Anyaman Lontar Program

JAKARTA - PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (BNI) strengthens its commitment in empowering women through the 'Weaving Goodness for Indonesia' program on Solor Island, East Flores, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). To date, the program has reached more than 430 women weavers of lontar leaves in 13 locations, while encouraging the improvement of product quality and the welfare of the local community.

BNI Corporate Secretary Okki Rushartomo said that this initiative, which has been running since September 2024, is designed as a sustainable empowerment program, covering production training, strengthening economic institutions, to health education.

"Through the program Weaving Goodness for Indonesia, BNI wants to provide sustainable empowerment for women, especially in the 3T area. We believe that when women are empowered, their families and the surrounding community will also grow," said Okki in an official statement.

Solor Island has been known to have limited productive land, but has economic potential from the weaving of lontar leaves that have been passed down from generation to generation. The majority of craftsmen are housewives who play a role as the backbone of the family economy, despite facing market access, product quality standards, and financial literacy constraints.

Through collaboration with the Du Anyam Foundation, BNI has built an integrated empowerment ecosystem. As a result, as much as 79% of woven products are now in the high quality category, showing a significant increase in terms of production and quality standards.

In addition to increasing business capacity, BNI also built supporting infrastructure, including the Anyam House in Bubu Atagamu Village, South Solor District, as a training and production center. The company also provides access to clean water through the construction of pipanization with 30 tap points used by 263 families.

On the social side, BNI contributed to the handling of stunting through the Supplementary Food Provision (PMT) Program for 98 toddlers for 14 days, which succeeded in reducing the malnutrition problem by 10.20%.

To ensure the sustainability of the program, BNI also facilitated the formation of the Ina Senaren Multi-Purpose Cooperative (KSU). "Through this cooperative, women not only play a role as artisans, but also as business actors who are able to manage businesses, expand market access, and utilize formal financial services," added Okki.

This program reflects BNI's comprehensive approach to empowering communities, by integrating economic, social, and cultural aspects. This effort also strengthens the role of women as the driving force of the local economy in underdeveloped areas.

Through this initiative, BNI emphasizes that women's empowerment not only has an impact on increasing income, but also creates independence and social resilience for the community. The weaving women in NTT are now not only preserving tradition, but also becoming economic actors who are able to improve the welfare of their families and the environment. (IST)