Home Affairs Ministry's DWP Chief Encourages Economic Independence Through Creativity

Niken Tomsi Tohir, Chairwoman of the Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) at the Ministry of Home Affairs (Kemendagri), has called on her members to develop their creativity to strengthen family economic independence. She believes various artworks that begin as hobbies can be processed into products with saleable value, thereby supplementing household income.

She made this appeal while opening a decoupage technique training session on shoes, titled ‘Through Art Training, We Enhance the Creativity and Economic Independence of DWP Kemendagri’. The event was held at the Institute of Home Affairs Governance (IPDN) campus in Cilandak, Jakarta, on Thursday.

‘I hope that what we do this morning will increase the knowledge of all the ladies and can add to our income,’ she said in a written statement on Thursday.

Niken explained that the decoupage technique is a craft that is easy to learn and does not require large production costs. The materials needed are also relatively affordable and easy to obtain. The shoes used in the training were sourced from local artisans, while accessories such as patterned tissue and glue can be found in various shops or online marketplaces.

She noted that the works produced from this training not only have aesthetic value but also economic potential for DWP members. The decorated shoes are planned to be worn during activities for the 81st Indonesian Independence Day celebrations. ‘Hopefully, the shoes we make can be worn during our 17th August activities,’ she said.

Niken expressed her hope that the spirit of creativity within the DWP Kemendagri will continue to grow sustainably. She believes this initiative can give rise to various creative products that positively impact families and the wider community. ‘Hopefully, this art training will be beneficial and produce works that make the nation proud,’ she concluded.