Rifka Annisa WCC in cooperation with the Department of Education, Youth and Sports Gunungkidul to held a workshop entitled "School-Based System for the Prevention and Handling of Violence against Women and Children" from Thursday 25th until Saturday 27th August 2016. Participants consisted of 20 teachers from junior high (SMP) and vocational schools (SMK) in Gunungkidul, among others; SMK Negeri 1 Wonosari, SMK Negeri 1 Saptosari, SMK Negeri 1 Gedangsari, SMK Negeri I Ngawen, SMK Negeri 3 Wonosari, SMP Negeri 4 Wonosari, SMA Negeri 2 Wonosari and SMP Negeri 1 Semanu. Sessions that took place over the three days, aimed to understand the dynamics of adolescent psychology and character as well as understand the root causes of violence against women and children. Besides these activities the workshop also aimed to obtain a depiction of the experiences of each school regarding the prevention and response to cases of violence.
The workshop was held at the Platinum Hotel, Jl. Gowongan Kidul No. 57 Yogyakarta. Based on the results and evaluation of the mentoring activities with schools and also the research on sexual violence in Gunungkidul. Rifka Annisa takes seriously their school-based system for the prevention and response to violence and sexual assault. It is also in line with the Regulation of the Minister of Education and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia No. 82 In 2015, on the Prevention and Handling of Violence in Environmental Education Unit. So when discussing the education system, the strengthening of each element in the school is essential. The system is composed of the principal, teachers, and students. Among the teacher's role as educators, teachers, and counsellors, in accordance with Law no. 14 of 2005, there is great intensity for the teachers in their roles of interaction with the students. Thus, teachers have an important role in prevention and response to violence and must be trained accordingly to handle such cases.
At the beginning of the first day's session, Rifka Annisa invited Dra. Mutingatu Sholichah, M.Si, (lecturer of the Faculty of Psychology, University of Ahmad Dahlan Yogyakarta and Assistant Sexual violence counselling intervention of parents, teachers, and children) as a resource to share knowledge on adolescent psychology and the importance of the role of schools in the prevention and response to violence against women and children. The second day continued discussion on power relations and gender inequality. Indiah Wahyu Andari, one of the facilitators, explained, "The social construction in the community during this puts women in lower positions than men. Women attached to the roles of domestic and men to the role of the public. "Indiah also added that the root causes of violence against women and children is the existence of power relations, or relations are unbalanced (unequal) between each other and the construction of gender is biased. Among the things that affect the power relations is the level of education, social status, senior-junior, age, occupation, health status, economic status, majority-minority, and so forth.
In the evening session participants are invited to practice self-healing techniques for the treatment of victims of violence. Enthusiastic participants were very evident when they described their future dreams and what they hoped to do for their families and communities regarding such issues. The third day of talks were about counselling and mentoring, followed by a discussion of follow-up plans, then concluded with evaluation activities.
Translated by: Emma Hardy
In order to create a healthier and smarter young generation, Rifka Annisa, through its “Goes to School” Program, visited SMKN 1 Wonosari. The event was held on Friday, September 2, 2016 at Al - Ikhlas Mosque in Wonosari ,Gunung Kidul. It was attended by approximately 800 students from year 10 and year 11 as well as teachers from SMKN 1 Wonosari.
The event, with the slogan “Pergaulan Sehat, Prestasi Hebat”, was filled with lots of crucial information regarding how to use the Internet wisely, adolescent development, as well as some short videos that are related to teenager’s issues lately. The students were not only given those materials but there was also an interactive dialogue in which the students got the chance to express their opinions and ask questions. There were also rewards for those who are active. On top of that the event was even more fun when they were singing together.
Rifka Annisa Goes to School program aims to introduce the material relating to gender issues. The expected output from the event was for students to recognize, to prevent and then to understand what to do when they face any kind of violence. A light and interesting delivery was expected to help the audiences understand the content of the event.
The event was also attended by the Vice Principal of SMKN 1 Wonosari, Bapak Ramto who expressed his hope that none of the students would ever experience any kinds of violence. He also hoped that the cooperation with Rifka Annisa would not stop here. Further activities should be held in order to prevent violence against women and children.
Translated By : Claudia Yusron
On Friday June 17th the Management Forum for Women and Children Victims of Violence (local language abbreviation, FPK2PA) gathered at the Village Hall, Ngalang. The event is a regular meeting scheduled in Ngalang whereby FPK2PA groups can learn about violence in the family. FPK2PA feel the need to understand this because in the Ngalang village there is still physical and verbal violence against children such as; cursing, hitting and kicking, and violence in the home. Heni, who served as Chairman of FPK2PA in Ngalang, is currently assisting cases of child violence in the village where he grew up. "According to the current mentoring process, the children are the victims of their parents which impacts the child’s progression in school and the relationships of this child," said Heni.
For Atun who is also a member of the FPK2PA board in Ngalang, working in counselling services, and learning about domestic violence is not easy. For her to talk about personal family experiences is a challenge because of the taboo around this issue.
This initiative is the work of approximately 15 people, starting with a forum on the implementation of the scheduled programs for the next 3 years. In 2016, as the initial program planning, FPK2PA will submit the budget to the village. It is part of the village's commitment to encourage efforts to prevent violence against women and children. This process is also an opportunity to review village legislation in Ngalang, such development has typically been done by women's groups in the villages. They participate in rural development through discussions and educational organizations.
The discussion started with a reflection about the self, about life experiences, past experiences, and any instances of violence from each person present. In this process the participants drew a picture of what they had suffered. One of them, whose name is Lia, the mother of a child who was treated at the village medical clinic. In the paper she was had bruised lips. Images that she created all had a story that she was often angry with her son because her son often annoyed her. "My children constantly ask things of me and it can frustrate me and I can become very angry very quickly," said Lia. Although afterwards she was sorry and felt terribly sad. This experience led her to reflect on not doing it again to her son.
Another story also came from Atun, she drew a hand on the red paper. She told a story of when her son was little and she would always impose her will and desires on him. Atun acknowledge her behaviour has had effects on her son. She also realized what she had done has made her son insecure and decision-making is a difficult task for him. She was sad and sorry about what she had done and admitted this was not good parenting. But now she realizes, that before she was caring out of ignorance. "Now I do not want that to happen again, I implement positive parenting and will encourage my children grow into confident and socializing evolving environment, "said Atun.
The event provides skills and supplies for participants. Furthermore FPK2PA members will continue to visit villages and to share such information to the public. These lessons will also continue to contribute to the strengthening of the capacity of facilitators who will return on 23 to 24 June 2016. Fitri is a facilitator of discussion and shared personal reflection and that itself becomes knowledge that can be discussed. "We can learn from the experience of everyone's life," said Fitri.
Translated by: Emma Hardy
FADK (Kepek Village Children's Forum) is an organization that consists of children aged below 18 years. The establishment of the forum aims to fulfil the rights of the child participants and the elimination of violence against children. Kids are the actors in the development process. During this growing issue in Kepek Village, District Saptosari, Gunung Kidul Regency, children are viewed as objects to be directed and continuously trained in order to discipline or regulate.
In the discussion session, accompanied by Rifka Annisa on Sunday May 8, 2016, members of FAD Kepek realized that it was the children that have the ability to organize themselves and participate in finding the solutions to problems in the region of FAD Kepek. FAD Kepek also organized socialization on the dangers of child sexual assaults. In this socialization Herman and Meike facilitated sessions. Herman, FAD Kepek chairman, opened the forum by introducing his organization. This was the first event held by FAD Kepek, it was held in the village hall. From planning, timing and place, the spread of the invitation, even as the facilitator of the event, all of them individually prepared themselves.
Meike led the brainstorming and discussion with 20 participants about sexual abuse in children. He invited participants to better understand the issues related to children. Starting from the definition of the child, the right to be possessed by them, then continued to discuss problems of violence and the potential for children to become perpetrators or victims of violence. When the discussion sessions related to the sexual abuse of children, Meike divided the participants into groups. In the discussion session, the participants were asked to discuss other forms of sexual violence, causes, effects of sexual violence, who could potentially become perpetrators, and sexual violence prevention strategies.
After the discussion finished, participants were asked to present the results of their discussion. Participants understand that sexual violence is diverse, for example, shown in pornographic images, forced sexual relations, undesired touching of one’s body, rape, sexually exploitation, and so forth. In addition participants also explained that the cause of sexual violence is the notion that a young child, would not dare to report and do not know how to report such cases. Then the participants tried to explain that pornography and alcohol can also lead to acts of sexual violence.
In the next session participants are invited to discuss the issue of Child Marriage, which is one form of sexual abuse in children. They recognize that marriage under the age of 18 can lead to school dropouts, poverty, domestic violence, negative impacts on the next generation, cervical cancer and so forth. Child Marriages are often also vieweda solution to the problem of unwanted pregnancies.
Participants understand that sexual assault victims will experience trauma, stress, contracted sexually transmitted diseases, HIV / AIDS, pregnant, and others. Anyone can become perpetrators of sexual violence, even the closest people such as a father, grandfather, uncle, neighbour, friend, girlfriend, teacher, as well as a stranger.
FAD Kepek has a role in disseminating the issues of violence against women and children. More recognized that dressing appropriately, covering sensitive parts of one’s body such as sexual and reproductive organs, is one of the solutions presented by participants, in order to avoid sexual violence. It is also important to appreciate and respect others not to hurt him. All elements of society must realize that every person has the right to live with a sense of security and to avoid violence.
Translated by: Emma Hardy
