Nani Afrida, Banda Aceh – Two years after the December 2004 tsunami devastated Aceh, women are playing a significant role in helping the economy bounce back.

"How to have a cow artificially inseminated?" asked Ani, 26, a resident of Keude Panga village in Panga district in Aceh Jaya regency. Ani has a cow, which she received from a cash grant from UK-based non-governmental organization Oxfam.

Just like other residents, she wants more cows, the cows she used to have before the tsunami swept them away. Apart from Ani, 30 other residents – all women – now own cows thanks to Oxfam.

Panga district is one of Aceh Jaya's districts worst hit by the tsunami. Of the district's 23 villages, 19 were badly damaged in the disaster.

Unlike other districts, however, Panga not only suffered due to the tsunami, but was also one of the "black" zones in the province, where exchange of gunfire between the Indonesian Military soldiers and rebels from the Free Aceh Movement (GAM) was common.

As a conflict area, women in the district had played a much more dominant roles compared to men. They were tasked not only with raising children but also earning a living as their menfolk were usually on the run, fearing they would be accused of being rebels or of being shot in crossfire.

"Women used to work while men would run for safety," said Rustam, a 24-year-old resident of Keude Panga.

Oxfam's staffer for people's empowerment, Muksin, said the organization gave priority to women for assistance in Panga district. "Women in this district have more time to take care of cows from the assistance compared to men," he said.

Another reason, he said, was that women tended to be much more responsible, they could farm and take care of cows as well. Before the tsunami hit, hundreds of cows in Panga district were left under the care of women.

Nurwaida, for instance, now lives with her husband after the tsunami swept through the district. "Before the tsunami, I had eight cows, now I only have one left, and that came from the assistance," she said.

The cow, bought at the price of Rp 5 million, was left in her care. She cuts grass to feed it and brings it to its shelter at night. "My husband is busy working. If he wasn't, he would help," said the woman, who plans to have plenty of cows.

Apart from taking care of her cow, she also earns extra income by selling homemade doughnuts. Her husband is a smalltime worker in the village.

Two years after the tsunami, life has started to return to normal in the district. Paddy is growing in the once flattened ground. "The residents have harvested rice twice in this district and with enough food, they'll be independent," Muklish said.