In the humid, sun-washed capital of Manokwari, Papua Barat (West Papua), a quiet revolution is taking place. It is not a protest or a political campaign, but something subtler and more enduring—the empowerment of mama-mama Papua, the women whose hands have long woven the fabrics of family, tradition, and survival. On November 3-5, 2025, hundreds of these women gathered for a landmark event: the Coaching Clinic and Creative Exhibition for Mama-Mama Papua, an initiative led by the local government and the Dewan Kerajinan Nasional Daerah (Regional National Crafts Council, or Dekranasda) to strengthen women’s economic independence through creativity and entrepreneurship.
Over the span of several days, Manokwari’s city hall and exhibition grounds turned into a vibrant arena of learning and cultural celebration. Colorful crafts, handwoven nokens, and the aroma of local culinary delights filled the space, while women from across Papua attended workshops on business management, design innovation, and digital marketing. Yet beyond the colorful display of products lay a deeper purpose—to transform the economic role of Papuan women from informal artisans into empowered entrepreneurs driving community resilience.
The Vision Behind the Movement
According to reports from KabarTimur, LinkPapua, and TaburaPos, the event was more than a government showcase—it was a statement of intent. The initiative aimed to provide practical training for women micro-entrepreneurs (known locally as pelaku UMKM), particularly those engaged in crafts (kriya), food production (kuliner), and small-scale creative industries. It also featured an exhibition to promote their products to local and national buyers, connecting their creativity to wider markets.
Manokwari Regent Hermus Indou, who has become one of the most vocal advocates for women’s empowerment in the region, captured the spirit of the event when he addressed the participants:
“Mama-mama in Manokwari have extraordinary potential. Their skills and creativity are valuable assets for regional development. The government’s duty is to give them space, guidance, and support so they can grow and compete in today’s market.”
This vision aligns with Papua’s broader development agenda—one that seeks not only to improve infrastructure but to elevate the human potential of its people, particularly women, who for generations have been the backbone of community life yet are often left on the margins of the formal economy.
Building Bridges Between Tradition and Modern Economy
In Papua, mama-mama are the keepers of tradition. They cultivate land, weave nokens, prepare food, and maintain family livelihoods. Their work has always been vital, but rarely has it been formally recognized or monetized. The Manokwari coaching clinic sought to bridge this gap by combining traditional knowledge with modern entrepreneurial skills.
During the sessions, trainers introduced participants to product design, branding, financial management, and digital marketing—essential tools in an era where even the smallest business can find a customer online. Women learned how to photograph their products, set fair prices, and understand consumer preferences beyond their villages. For many, it was their first exposure to structured business training.
“I used to only sell my woven bags at the local market,” said one participant quoted by Surya Arfak. “Now I understand how packaging, colors, and storytelling can make my token more valuable. I feel more confident to sell outside Manokwari.”
Such stories reflect the growing realization that Papua’s women are not just custodians of culture—they are potential agents of economic change. By nurturing their skills and linking them with markets, the province is cultivating an inclusive creative economy rooted in local identity.
Women’s Empowerment as an Economic Strategy
While the coaching clinic may appear modest, its implications are transformative. Empowering women in Papua’s economy carries multiplier effects—from raising household incomes to improving children’s education and community well-being. In a region where poverty rates remain among the highest in Indonesia, strengthening women’s entrepreneurship is not just a gender issue but a developmental necessity.
Hermus Indou, in his speech, underlined this strategic importance:
“Economic progress in Manokwari cannot rely solely on natural resources. We must develop human resources—especially women. When mothers become entrepreneurs, they bring prosperity home.”
This statement reflects a paradigm shift in local policy. For decades, Papua’s economy has been dominated by extractive industries such as mining, fisheries, and logging. These sectors often generate wealth but little inclusion. The Mama-Mama Papua movement, by contrast, invests in the grassroots—in creativity, small business, and self-reliance. It is an attempt to balance the economy by empowering those who have historically been left out of formal opportunities.
The Role of Government and Dekranasda
Behind the scenes, the coordination between the local government and Dekranasda (the regional crafts council) has been crucial. The two institutions have worked together to identify participants, provide trainers, and design modules that blend business knowledge with cultural preservation. The event was part of a broader national program led by Dekranas Pusat (the National Crafts Council) to enhance the competitiveness of local artisans and small enterprises across Indonesia.
In Manokwari, the training was attended by around 100 women from different districts, including Prafi, Mokwam, and Manokwari Utara. They represented a range of creative fields—from wood carving and textile weaving to traditional food products and handmade accessories. Throughout the sessions, instructors emphasized the importance of quality control, innovation, and collaboration. The exhibition that followed became a living showcase of their newfound confidence.
According to TaburaPos, the government plans to continue supporting these entrepreneurs through access to microcredit, partnerships with cooperatives, and inclusion in local trade fairs. These follow-up measures are vital to ensure the sustainability of empowerment—preventing the effort from being a one-off event.
Culture as Currency
One of the most powerful aspects of the Mama-Mama Papua movement is how it transforms culture into currency. In Papua, every craft carries meaning—a pattern that tells a story, a color that represents a tribe, or a material that signifies a connection to nature. By commercializing these products ethically, women not only preserve their heritage but also turn it into a source of income.
Take the noken, for instance—the traditional handwoven bag recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. For years, it was sold cheaply at local markets. But with proper design, packaging, and marketing, a token can fetch premium value in national or even international markets. The coaching clinic taught participants to see such potential in their own work.
The integration of culture into enterprise also strengthens identity. It reminds both producers and consumers that economic growth does not have to erase tradition—it can, instead, be rooted in it. As one facilitator remarked, “Every product made by a Papuan woman carries a story of resilience. The world needs to hear that story.”
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Yet, even as the initiative shines with promise, it faces real challenges. The most pressing is sustainability. Training without continued mentorship risks fading impact. Many participants lack access to consistent supply chains, digital infrastructure, or financing to expand their businesses. Connectivity remains limited in some districts, making e-commerce difficult.
Furthermore, balancing commercial goals with cultural authenticity can be complex. When traditional symbols are turned into market commodities, there is always a risk of cultural dilution. For this reason, the organizers stress ethical business practices—ensuring that women maintain creative control and receive fair compensation for their work.
The local government acknowledges these challenges. Plans are underway to establish a permanent women’s entrepreneurship center under Dekranasda Manokwari, which will provide continuous training, business mentoring, and marketing assistance. Collaboration with universities and cooperatives is also being explored to offer business incubation and microfinance support.
A Ripple Effect for Papua and Beyond
What began as a single event in Manokwari may, over time, become a model for other Papuan districts. Across Indonesia, there is growing awareness that women’s entrepreneurship is key to inclusive development. The Mama-Mama Papua initiative embodies this principle at the frontier—turning empowerment into tangible enterprise.
Already, other regions such as Sorong, Biak, and Nabire have shown interest in replicating similar programs. If scaled, such initiatives could help reshape the image of Papua—from a region often associated with underdevelopment and conflict to one known for innovation, creativity, and women-led growth.
In this sense, the Mama-Mama Papua movement is more than an economic story. It is a narrative of dignity—a reaffirmation that progress in Papua must come from within, through the empowerment of its people, especially its women. When they prosper, entire communities rise.
Conclusion
As the exhibition in Manokwari drew to a close, the sight of hundreds of Mama-Mama Papua proudly standing beside their crafts symbolized a turning point. The laughter, the shared knowledge, and the newfound sense of purpose reflected something deeper than training—it was the awakening of confidence.
Papua’s future will not be built solely on the strength of its natural wealth, but on the creativity and resilience of its people. And in that future, the hands of Mama-Mama Papua—once seen only as hands that nurture—are now the hands that build, design, and lead.
Through the Coaching Clinic and Exhibition in Manokwari, they have proven that empowerment is not just a policy goal but a lived reality. Each woven noken, each jar of handmade sambal, and each necklace crafted with care carries the message that change is possible when opportunity meets tradition. It is, quite simply, the story of Papua’s rebirth—one woman, one craft, and one community at a time.