Ministry of Religious Affairs Office of Pontianak, DBS Foundation, The Asia Foundation, and Yayasan Karya Dua Anyam Join Forces to Provide Financial Literacy Education for Prospective Couples | Bahasa

Indonesia, 03 Jul 2026 - SHE CAN Programme to Reach 1,200 Future Couples at Six KUA in Pontianak

The Ministry of Religious Affairs Office of Pontianak City, together with Yayasan Karya Dua Anyam, one of the Implementing Partners of the SHE CAN Programme, has officially established a strategic partnership to reduce divorce and poverty rates through financial literacy education for future brides and grooms (or future couples) in Pontianak City. The collaboration was realised through the SHE CAN Programme, a partnership initiative between DBS Foundation and The Asia Foundation, which was implemented alongside Yayasan Karya Dua Anyam as part of the effort to accelerate financial inclusion for vulnerable women in West Kalimantan.

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) West Kalimantan 2026 data showed that Pontianak City has the second-highest divorce rate in the province, with 885 cases. Among the contributing factors such as spousal abandonment, gambling, and infidelity, economic factors, namely financial instability, difficulties in meeting daily needs, and conflicts over family livelihoods, are the most dominant causes of the problem.

Through financial literacy training based on the SHE CAN module, prospective brides and grooms are equipped with the skills to manage family finances as a preventive measure to reduce the risk of economic conflicts that often trigger marital problems. The training materials cover family financial planning, setting financial goals together as a couple, and understanding equal roles in building the family's economic resilience.

The SHE CAN Programme, which was launched in January 2025 as a strategic partnership between DBS Foundation and The Asia Foundation, collaborated with Yayasan Karya Dua Anyam to accelerate financial inclusion for 80,000 financially vulnerable women in West Kalimantan. DBS Foundation was established in 2014 as a manifestation of DBS Bank's commitment to creating an impact by improving the quality of life and well-being of vulnerable communities through the provision of basic needs and by promoting inclusion.

Mona Monika, Head of Group Marketing & Communications at Bank DBS Indonesia, said, "We are proud to be part of the strategic partnership through the SHE CAN Programme alongside the Ministry of Religious Affairs Office of Pontianak City, The Asia Foundation, and Yayasan Karya Dua Anyam to expand access to financial literacy and inclusion for prospective couples. We believe financial literacy is a crucial foundation in building stronger financial resilience for individuals, families, and the community. In line with the mission of DBS Foundation, we hope this module can be adopted more widely so that more families have better financial readiness and can face the future with greater confidence."

"Besides spiritual maturity, financial maturity is essential for every prospective couple. Various cases of divorce and domestic violence often stem from economic issues," said Riri Mahmuda, Project Lead of SHE CAN at Yayasan Karya Dua Anyam.

The financial literacy module will be integrated into the Marriage Guidance Programme (Bimbingan Perkawinan or Bimwin), which is regularly conducted at every Religious Affairs Office (Kantor Urusan Agama, KUA) in Pontianak. This ensures that prospective couples are reached at one of the most critical stages before they begin married life.

The programme has received strong support from the Ministry of Religious Affairs Office of Pontianak. Yuliansyah, Head of the Islamic Community Guidance Section at the Ministry of Religious Affairs Office of Pontianak, reaffirmed the commitment to collaborating on the initiative. “The financial problems faced by families and the high rate of divorce need to be addressed from the outset. We are committed to working together to help build families that are more financially resilient,” he said.

The SHE CAN Programme expects to reach 1,200 future couples in six KUA in Pontianak. As the first step of its implementation, a Training of Facilitators (ToF) was held on 17-18 June 2026 to equip marriage registrars and religious counsellors with the knowledge and skills to serve as financial literacy facilitators. In addition to strengthening their financial literacy capabilities, participants were also trained on gender equality and social inclusion, enabling them to help future couples build a strong  foundation for harmonious relationships and gender equality in the household.

Through this programme, DBS Foundation, The Asia Foundation, Yayasan Karya Dua Anyam, and the Ministry of Religious Affairs Office of Pontianak aim to strengthen the financial resilience of households from the very beginning, helping to significantly and sustainably reduce the risk of financial conflicts as one of the leading causes of divorce.


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About Yayasan Karya Dua Anyam

Yayasan Karya Dua Anyam (YKDA) is an Indonesian non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing inclusive economic development, women’s empowerment, and community resilience through capacity building, research, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Since its establishment, YKDA has worked alongside women entrepreneurs, micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), farmer groups, coastal communities, and other vulnerable groups across Indonesia, particularly in Eastern Indonesia.

About the SHE CAN Programme

The SHE CAN Programme is a collaborative initiative between The Asia Foundation and DBS Foundation that aims to accelerate financial inclusion through financial literacy training and mentoring for vulnerable women in West Kalimantan. The programme is expected to reach 80,000 women over three years, utilising a community-based, inclusive, and gender-transformative approach.