Who We Are

The idea to establish this organization began with a Feminist Counselling training held by SPeAK in July 1997 in West Java. Raquel Edralin Tiglao (late), founder of the Philippine Women’s Crisis Center, served as the trainer and inspired three women from Surabaya who participated in the training. Their shared passion to initiate support services from a women’s perspective for women survivors of violence sparked the early efforts, starting with small, open gatherings for anyone concerned about the issue. These meetings, known as "Reboan" (Wednesday Meetings)—held every Wednesday—continued for six months with rotating participants. Hosted in a friend’s office space, these regular meetings eventually led to the consensus to establish a women’s crisis center under the name Savy Amira, meaning “Women’s Ally”.

The organization's growth—both administratively and in terms of personnel—was gradual, sustained by self-funding and public donations. Services began modestly: five part-time members shared their personal phone lines to create a 24-hour hotline. The "office" was a borrowed room in one of the members’ homes. In 1999, a new volunteer with prior experience in women’s NGOs outside Surabaya joined the team, helping to structure the work more systematically. Volunteer numbers slowly increased. Sympathy and support from individuals and philanthropic groups in Surabaya—such as the Rotary Club—enabled Savy Amira in 2001 to rent a more representative space to serve as its secretariat and temporary shelter.

By 2002, partnerships and networks with like-minded institutions, particularly in East Java, began to strengthen. Case management services also became more structured and effective. Since 2005, Savy Amira has increasingly become a referral center for psychological and legal assistance. Community engagement programs through various media and formats grew stronger, along with active participation in training and policy advocacy efforts at both the regional (East Java) and national levels.

Naturally, these advancements came with greater challenges. The complexity of handling domestic violence cases increased alongside changes in the national and global political and economic landscape. Openness to collaboration and mutual support with various stakeholders became imperative. A critical mindset—both internally and externally—was essential to maintain the clarity of the movement’s direction, while continuously nurturing trust, cooperation, and solidarity. These values have become the cornerstone of every action within Savy Amira WCC, ultimately shaping it into a trusted service provider for women and children survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).