Puan Amal Hayati
Fighting for a just society and brighter future for Indonesian women.
PUAN Amal Hayati is an NGO that works with civil society and Islamic boarding schools (Pesantren) for women's rights. Ibu Sinta Nuriyah Wahid founded the organization to create a just and equal society free from violence and discrimination. We aim to empower women and minorities to achieve a better life.
Our Work
We work across religion, civil society, and government to effect change and create a more just future for Indonesian women and marginalized communities.
01
Pesantren dan Religion
Established in 2002, we are one of the pioneers in Indonesia in knowledge production in which classical texts of Islam are reinterpreted and approached through a gender lens. We believe that religion should be the basis for fighting against violence and for promoting women's rights and human rights.
03
Policy Dialogue and Advocacy
We work with multiple stakeholders to identify, analyze, and address critical issues, challenges, and opportunities related to public policy on the protection of women rights and vulnerable groups in Indonesia. Then, we advocate for more just policies - from child marriage, to the protection of minorities, to gender-based violence.
02
Interfaith Dialogue
We work with inter-religious, intra-religious, multifaith, and indigenous faith leaders and organizations to promote tolerance, pluralism and peace across Indonesia. We organize interfaith dialogue programs in different faith institutions and spaces.
04
Publication and Media
We are dedicated to fostering and shaping public education and knowledge. We work with journalists, media, and influencers to address critical issues and raise awareness about our mission to uphold justice.
OUR STORY
Creating a more just society
The organization was founded in 2002 by Ibu Sinta Nuriyah Wahid and academicians, Islamic school boards, and social activists who deeply care about women's empowerment. Puan is an abbreviation of “Pesantren Untuk Pemberdayaan Perempuan” (Islamic Boarding Schools for Women’s Empowerment), and Amal Hayati means the hope of life. We aim to empower women to lead a better life. Since our humble beginnings, we have worked across Indonesian and on various issues, from religious conflict to child marriage, to promote a more just and tolerant society. Our focus for the next decade is the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting (FGM/C) often referred to as female circumcision.
SAHUR KELILING
Strengthening Inclusion and Solidarity
Since 2000, we have been organizing Sahur Keliling; an annual program where we partner with hundreds of local communities, faith-based organizations, and marginalized groups to create public dialogues and cultural events. As such, we push inclusion and show solidarity amidst the growing tide of the exclusion and violence based on diverse religions and identities in Indonesia.
SPOTLIGHT ON FGM
Eradicating Female Genital Mutilation in Indonesia
Over one in two Indonesian girls undergo some form of Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting, oftentimes referred to as female circumcision. For the next decade, our focus is the eradication of FGM/C in Indonesia as a form of refusal to violence against women. We work with religious leaders, healthcare workers, and policymakers to oppose and eradicate this harmful practice.
OUR IMPACT IN NUMBERS
100,000+
People engaged by our work
1,000+
Pesantrens worked with
50+
Publications published
A word from our founder
Ibu Sinta Nuriyah Wahid
"We need to take action to build solidarity and respect the diversity that really makes Indonesia what it is. Our human dignity lies in the universality of peace and humanity. This means working hard to foster our values as human beings, working hands in hands with others, promoting the rights of all, and defending those vulnerable and marginalized."
Working with partners to make a difference
