Child marriage and gender-based violence (GBV) remain deeply rooted issues that require collective support and collaboration. In response to these challenges, RISE Foundation, supported by the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) through Global Affairs Canada, is implementing the SADARI (Safe and Aware Communities to Prevent Child Marriage and Violence) program in West Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
The SADARI program aims to strengthen the prevention of child marriage and GBV by cultivating a safer and more supportive environment for young people, particularly young women. Running from July 2026 to February 2027, the initiative targets 1,000 young women aged 15 to 19 as its primary beneficiaries. Beyond raising awareness, SADARI focuses on building the capacity of the youth, providing safe spaces, expanding support networks, and improving access to essential services.
In practice, SADARI applies an interconnected approach to prevention and protection. This includes driving shifts in social norms, capacity building, expanding access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), securing safe spaces, and establishing integrated referral pathways. Through this framework, young women are expected to gain a deeper understanding of their rights and the risks they navigate, while being surrounded by a supportive environment where they can seek information, share their stories, and access vital services.
The program closely involves various local stakeholders in West Manggarai. Cross-sector collaboration is central to SADARI, as preventing child marriage and GBV demands a unified push from multiple institutions and communities. Every partner plays a crucial role in shaping a safer environment, strengthening services, and ensuring that young people can easily access support whenever they need it.
Throughout its implementation, SADARI will roll out a series of activities designed to empower individuals while simultaneously reinforcing the broader support ecosystem in West Manggarai. These initiatives include Operational Research, Training of Trainers, Girls4Change Goes to School, collaborative workshops with the local government, thematic training sessions for young women, digital campaigns on GBV and SRHR, and the strengthening of referral pathways.
Through these targeted activities, SADARI aims to establish a core group of 25 peer educators who will serve as vital links within the youth support network. The program also sets out to strengthen five key referral pathways and provide focused support to six schools, helping them cultivate a safer and more inclusive environment for their students.
Ultimately, SADARI envisions an environment where young women are equipped with the knowledge to recognize the risks of violence, fully understand their rights, and have seamless access to peers, schools, communities, and service providers that can offer genuine support. By empowering the youth while simultaneously fortifying the networks and systems around them, SADARI is laying the groundwork for a safer, more responsive community that truly meets the needs of young women in West Manggarai.
