Faith-Based Women’s Organization Philanthropy in Fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic and Its Impacts: The Case of Aisyiyah in Sidoarjo, Indonesia

Abstract

Since the emergence of the global COVID-19 pandemic, faith-based philanthropic activities have become widely attractive topics to be investigated. Yet, there has been little exploration related to gender issues. This study examined faith-based women’s engagement in dealing with the COVID-19 outbreak and its impacts focusing on a local context in Sidoarjo, Indonesia. Notably, the investigation aimed to explore the extent to which Aisyiyah's philanthropy in addressing the global issue. To achieve the purpose of the study, it carried out a qualitative method incorporating three data collection techniques: semi-structured interview involving 17 informants; participant observation focused on Aisyiyah’s programs conducted to overcome the COVID-19; and a desk study gained from documents, reports, media (and social media) such as Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube channels. The result delineates that while some scholars divide two paradigms of community engagement which are utilitarian and social justice, Aisyiyah in Sidoarjo has played vital contributions oriented toward social justice. This approach has been done through various programs; public awareness building, embracing the COVID-19 patients, and enhancing social solidarity to reduce the outbreak effects. These findings contribute to filling the literature gap on religious-based women's philanthropy in dealing with the pandemic. However, it is critical to explore the extent to which Aisyiyah's commitment to humanitarian activities for a long-term period since no one can even predict when it will end. Another pivotal issue that needs further investigation is Aisyiyah’s way in mobilizing social capital to support its philanthropic activities.

Apakah Kebahahagiaan dapat Mendorong Seseorang Membantu Sesama? Peranan Mediasi Psychological Well-being antara Religiusitas dan Filantropi pada Anggota Aisyiyah Sidoarjo

“…Jalur Analisis Path Filantropi di Indonesia adalah sebuah tradisi yang telah banyak dilakukan didalam budaya msyarakat Indonesia (Osili & Ökten, 2016). Kata ini merujuk pada kegiatan sukarela yang ditujukan untuk meringankan beban orang lain dengan beberapa cara seperti bekerja sama, berbagai, membantu, atau memberikan donasi dan menjadi relawan (Barman, 2017;Hazim & Fihayati, 2022;Manesi et al, 2017). Mengkaji kecenderungan filantropi pada Indonesia merupakan hal yang penting dilakukan jika meninjau gelar negara paling dermawan yang diberikan oleh World Giving Index-Charities Aid Foundation (Foundation, 2021)…”

“…Ketika wabah pandemi menyerang di Kota Sidoarjo waktu lalu, Aisyiyah telah aktif untuk terlibat dalam menanggapi permasalahan tersebut dan menyebutnya sebagai "keadilan sosial". Aisyiyah berpartisipasi dengan menerapkan beberapa strategi diantaranya adalah meningkatkan pemahaman public, membantu menampung pasien dan warga yang terdampak covid-19, dan juga mendukung pembatasan sosial sementara untuk mengurangi dampak pandemi kepada masyarakat (Hazim & Fihayati, 2022).…”

“…Penelitian yang dilakukan Hazim dan Fihayati (Hazim & Fihayati, 2022) menjelaskan peran signifikan organisasi Aisyiyah dalam masyarakat. Akan retapi, studi tersebut tidak menjelaskan secara lebih detail keterkaitan beberapa atribut psikologis yang dapat mempengaruhi peranan yang signifikan organisasi Aisyiyah kepada masyarkat dan perilaku filantropi dari konstruk religiusitas dan psychological well-being.…”

Digital Communication of ‘Aisyiyah during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…At the local level, Riyadi (2018) shows how the offline communication of Aisyiyah's TB-HIV Care task force carries out advocacy in South Sulawesi Province. Several studies reveal the resilience of 'Aisyiyah branches, with various media to continuously carry out activities during the COVID-19 pandemic -for example, West Java (Chaerowati et al, 2021), East Java (Hazim & Fihayati, 2022), and Yogyakarta (Makruf, 2022). Meanwhile, Rochimah & Setyowati (2021) use a social marketing framework to look at the digital communication patterns of the 'Aisyiyah Central Board during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”