From Learning to Leading: BSC Women Fishers Strengthen Financial Literacy in Rembang

When income varies from day to day, planning for tomorrow can be difficult. For women in Rembang’s Blue Swimming Crab (BSC) fishery, practical financial skills can make a real difference. Recognizing this need, Coral Triangle Center (CTC) brought together 23 women fishers and BSC women’s group members in Gedongmulyo Village for five days of training on managing expenses, setting priorities and building savings.

The training explored practical ways to manage household finances, including recording income and expenses, distinguishing needs from wants, planning savings, and making informed financial decisions.

“Financial management is very important. We live in a fisher’s village where people can earn a substantial income, but many still struggle to manage their finances effectively. By keeping financial records, we can better understand how we manage our money, learn to save, and avoid taking out loans.” Dillah, one of the trainers from Gedongmulyo Village, said.

The training also went a step further by preparing participants to share their knowledge. On 30 September and 1 October, 13 women from Gedongmulyo Village took part in a Training of Trainers program to develop their knowledge and facilitation skills, equipping them to share what they learned with fellow women fishers in five neighboring villages: Trahan, Tunggulsari, Sukoharjo, Kabongan Lor, and Gegunung Wetan.

From 5 to 8 October, the initiative expanded to these five villages, where 19 local trainers delivered financial literacy training to 71 women fishers. The trainers included representatives of Gedongmulyo’s women’s groups, the Marine and Fisheries Agency (DKP Rembang), the Social Affairs, Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, and Family Planning Office (Dinsos PPKB Rembang), and fisheries extension officers (FEOs Rembang). The training also covered the risks of informal loans and digital financial scams, helping participants make more informed financial decisions.

“By developing skills in managing household income and expenses, learning how to save, and avoiding unnecessary debt, we hope to strengthen women’s roles in maintaining their families’ economic resilience.” said Silvia Timotius, Training Manager.

For some women, becoming a trainer was also an opportunity to build confidence and develop new skills, particularly in public speaking. Siti Mahruroh, one of the trainers for Gegunung Wetan Village, shared how the experience helped her become more confident in speaking in front of others and delivering training materials.

“I’m happy and honored to have been selected as a trainer, especially for public speaking. It’s not easy for me. But through this experience, I learned to become more confident and communicate the materials to participants. It’s something you have to keep learning,” she shared.

The growing confidence reflects a longer journey of learning and development of these women. Ade Novie Heryanto, Coordinator of Fisheries Extension Officers (FEOs) in Rembang, has witnessed this change since CTC first organized training for the women in 2023.

He said: “I have seen remarkable progress among the women in the BSC fishery. When CTC first held training in 2023, many were shy and hesitant to speak in front of others. Now, during the financial literacy training replication, they are much more confident and can deliver training sessions in front of others. Their progress has been remarkable.”

The women’s evolving role was evident at the end of the training when the Head of DKP Rembang invited them to present updates on the financial literacy sessions delivered across the five villages. From learning to manage their household finances to sharing knowledge with neighboring communities and presenting their experiences to local authorities, women in Rembang’s BSC fishery are taking a more active role in strengthening their communities.

Writers: Adam Putra, Wienda Ardiyani, Silvia Timotius
Photos: Adam Putra/CTC