Promoting Social Justice through Philantropy : Women`s Activism as a Civil Society (A Reflection on the Rise of Yayasan Sahabat Ibu in Yogyakarta)
Ahmad Arif Widianto (a*), Nur Hadi (b), Irawan (c)

a) Jurusan Sosiologi Fakultas Ilmu Sosial
Universitas Negeri Malang
ahmad.arif.fis[at]um.ac.id
b) Jurusan Sosiologi Fakultas Ilmu Sosial
Universitas Negeri Malang
geometrimolekul[at]yahoo.co.id
c) Jurusan Sosiologi Fakultas Ilmu Sosial
Universitas Negeri Malang
sosantira[at]gmail.com

Abstract

The emergence of womans activism as a civil society is driven by a hight sense of humanity to overcome the various social inequalities that have so far been difficult for all other citizens, especially women who often threaten by patriarchal social, economic and political structures. This sense of awareness of womans problem is then translated into various social philanthropy programs to reduce various forms of gaps and weakness of society. This paper discusses how women activism, in this case is Yayasan Sahabat Ibu (YSI), have participated to solve various social problems, especially related to women. By operating qualitative method and theory of civil society and social justice philanthropy, this paper reflects on the rise of YSI and It`s role in promoting social justice. YSI as women activists involved in reducing existing social inequality through its activism in the philanthropic movement. YSI mobilizes the available resources and then distributes it to the needy. The transformation of the organization is followed by a paradigm shift and activism orientation from charity to productive empowerment as an effort for long-term struggle. YSI activists are then able to develop their movement by organizing themselves and transforming into non-governmental organizations concerned in empowering women by educative (PINTAR) and productive economic (PRIMA) program.

Keywords: Women`s Activism; Civil Society; Philanthropy; Social Justice

Topic: The Role of Citizens in Strengthening Democratic Citizenship and Human Rights