ABSTRACT
This chapter analyses the contribution of bottom-up planning to improve the built environment by Paguyuban Kalijawi, a female community-based organisation in Yogyakarta, Indonesia created in 2012. The members are women who live in urban kampungs along the rivers Winongo and Gajahwong and are working collectively to improve their living conditions and neighbourhoods. These women have a triple role in society (Moser, 1993), being mothers, supporting their children and partners (reproductive role), sustaining their livelihoods through mainly informal job opportunities (productive role) and being active in their neighbourhoods (community role). Due to this triple role, women are able to provide a detailed view of the problems of their neighbourhoods and work on solutions. Through collective action, Kalijawi members have been able to develop a series of successful activities, including community mapping and saving groups. These women have also become strong leaders and advocators of their needs. This has created a change from not only considering their “practical needs” as women, but also addressing their “strategic gender needs” (Molyneux, 1985; Moser, 1993) to become more empowered and to have the opportunity to create dialogue with the government. These “strategic gender needs” contribute to achieving gender equality.
