Yogyakarta, July 2024 – RISE Foundation and Let’s Read Indonesia (The Asia Foundation) proudly unite once more for the second phase of Girls4Change, emphasizing school-based interventions. The intervention should encompass not only young girls but also other individuals within their surrounding environment, including young boys.
This approach is also in line with the Violence Prevention and Handling Team (TPPK) program carried out by the Ministry of Education and Culture in the education unit.
With the support and recommendations from the Education, Youth, and Sports Office of the Special Region of Yogyakarta, Girls4Change Goes to School has been carried out in three senior and vocational high schools in Yogyakarta. Recommended schools include SMK Negeri 4 Yogyakarta, SMA Negeri 11 Yogyakarta, and SMA Negeri 1 Kasihan. Each school participant engages in four stages of workshop material aligned with the Girls4Change module: understanding, loving, and respecting oneself (Learning); empowering to foster healthy relationships with the environment and challenge traditional gender norms (Empowering); being aware of rights and articulating opinions (Speaking Out); and sharing experiences and values (Sharing).
The Tagline “Girls4Change Indonesia: Learn, Empower, Speak Out, Share!” continues to echo in every workshop session. It gives positive affirmations to participants not to give up on learning, being empowered, speaking out, and sharing around them. Following the completion of the workshop’s four stages, participants joined the Girls4Change SUMMIT 2024, held on July 31, 2024, at SMA Negeri 11 Yogyakarta. The event had 124 participating youth from the program who were given the opportunity to voice their thoughts and share their positive contributions.
The event commenced with a vocal performance and Balinese dance presented by the extracurricular group from SMA Negeri 11 Yogyakarta, followed by a welcome and opening ceremony led by esteemed guests. The Education, Youth, and Sports Office of the Special Region of Yogyakarta wholeheartedly supports this event and hopes for similar initiatives to be implemented in other schools.
“We give a message in the future that these children are the nation’s assets, so that we, in the sense of the Education Office, the Principal, and also the RISE Foundation, are also responsible for the safety of these children. We hope that this message will persist so that the children participating in this activity will be distinguishable from those who have not participated. Additionally, we aspire that students will be able to convey this to their peers.”– Deputy Head of Office, Drs. Suhirman, M.Pd.
The Girls4Change SUMMIT 2024 is not just the main event; it’s also a platform for youth to share their experiences. Under the theme “Breaking the Bias: Realizing Equality and Empowering Youth,” this initiative serves as a pivotal element of the Girls4Change SUMMIT 2024 program. One of the main events was a talk show with gender equality expert Kalis Mardiasih and three teenagers: Laras Sekar from SMA Negeri 11 Yogyakarta, Ruth Kezia from SMA Negeri 1 Kasihan, and Aura Syaswana from SMK Negeri 4 Yogyakarta. With her background in teaching young people sexual and reproductive health rights and her active advocacy against gender-based violence, Mbak Kalis Mardiasih is expected to empower and inspire young people to speak out and take charge of their lives.
During the talk show, Mbak Kalis Mardiasih delivered an inspiring message, urging audiences to “Stop being an observer, be an upstander”. Participants also discuss their experiences with self-discovery, establishing boundaries, and overcoming social barriers on this talk show. Moreover, participants are committed to promoting and integrating the Girls4Change message in their personal lives, within their schools, and in their family settings. Girls4Change participants are dedicated to challenging gender stereotypes for both women and men, while also embracing assertiveness and bravery as youth.
