Youth Prevent Child Marriage Starting in Court
17 October 2024
Mataram, October 15, 2024 – Child marriage is still one of the main challenges in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Province, which occupies the top two positions in Indonesia for child marriage rates. In response, Yayasan Plan International Indonesia (Plan Indonesia) signed a partnership with the Giri Menang Religious Court (PA) in West Lombok (number 580/KPA.W22-A7/HM2.1.3/XI/2024) to prevent child marriage by involving young people in the court system in West Lombok District (18/09).
“The high rate of child marriage is caused by loopholes in the dispensation of child marriage that is filed. So, cooperation that emphasizes the involvement of the role of young people in the prevention stage is important in reducing the number of child marriages,” explained Dini Widiastuti, Executive Director of Plan Indonesia.
Gema Cita (Generasi Emas Bangsa Bebas Perkawinan Usia Anak) is one of the programs implemented by Plan Indonesia in NTB for the past three years to prevent child marriage, collaborating with various parties including peer educators, schools, Community Based Integrated Child Protection (PATBM), Child Friendly School (SRA) teams, as well as the West Lombok District and NTB Provincial governments.
“Plan Indonesia’s youth-focused work is of key importance, where before marriage dispensation applications are processed in court, they can educate peers about the dangers of child marriage through pre-decision counseling,” said Moch. Syah Ariyanto, S.H.I., Chairman of the Giri Menang Religious Court.
Through this agreement, PA Giri Menang West Lombok encourages the adoption, replication and utilization of good practices that have been carried out by Plan Indonesia related to efforts to prevent child marriage and teenage pregnancy through a peer to peer education approach.
Fira (19), one of the peer educators and Youth Advocate of Gema Cita, pointed out that the plan to involve young people for pre-decision dispensation education could be a crucial time to prevent child marriage.
“Educational sessions for child marriage dispensation applicants are crucial before entering the judicial session. Both parents and children must certainly get an explanation of the dangers of child marriage, through KIE (Communication, Information and Education) media as well as through discussions with peer educators who are in charge of Sahabat Pengadilan,” explained Fira.
Until its closure in September 2024, the Gema Cita program has successfully assisted 154 peer educators, 60% of whom are girls in West Lombok District. Peer educators are also proven to have educated more than 2,300 of their peers, participated in explaining child marriage, and retained their peers to stay in school, both married and almost married children.
“This collaboration is expected to strengthen and continue the positive impact of the Gema Cita program in West Lombok District, with the ultimate goal of eliminating child marriage cases in the future,” Dini added.
