A total of 12 journalists from Central Sulawesi Province, representing various local media outlets and national media contributors, participated in the journalist fellowship program organized by UN Women in collaboration with the Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI), supported by CARE Indonesia and KARSA Institute, from February 19 to 21, 2025. This program is one of the activities designed to enhance journalists’ understanding of gender issues, gender-based violence prevention, and the impacts of climate change. The aim is to amplify the efforts of women and youth groups to become more economically empowered, improve their understanding of gender equality, and support their efforts in creating peace in their villages. These initiatives, with the support of CARE Indonesia and KARSA Institute, are expected to be highlighted through stories shared by the journalists.
The Active Role of Women’s Groups in Household Organic Waste Management to Boost Additional Income
According to a report from Kompas.id, women’s groups are among the most affected by climate change and environmental damage. Despite this, women rarely have a seat at decision-making forums, including those aimed at environmental conservation. Household organic waste management in Indonesia is an important area that must be carefully addressed for environmental protection. According to data from the National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN), in 2023, the total waste generated in Indonesia amounted to approximately 40 million tons per year.
Data from the Depok City Environmental and Cleanliness Agency (DLHK) reveals that in 2023, around 900 to 1,000 tons of waste were disposed of at the Cipayung landfill in Depok daily. Additionally, referring to data from SIPNS, Musi Banyuasin Regency produced around 103,000 tons of waste in 2024, with approximately 43,000 tons being managed.
Agus Tri Wahyono, Program Manager of the CARE Peduli Foundation (YCP), believes that women can play a crucial role in household organic waste management involvement. According to him, empowering women’s groups, such as those already supported by YCP in Depok City and Musi Banyuasin Regency, has had a positive impact. “By providing mentoring and training in managing household organic waste through Black Soldier Fly (BSF) maggot farming, women’s groups in Musi Banyuasin and Depok are becoming more empowered. Moreover, women’s involvement in household organic waste management can provide additional income for families,” said Agus.
Further explaining, Agus emphasized that the household organic waste management training in Depok City focuses on strengthening the involvement of women-majority groups at the neighborhood (RT) and community (RW) levels. “The training on organic waste management using maggots was carried out over ten sessions. Each session involved two parts: financial literacy training for both women and men in households, general gender awareness, and an introduction to maggot farming and its benefits,” he added.
Agus also highlighted that active participation from the groups was emphasized in managing household organic waste and improving household financial literacy with a gender-responsive approach. This is seen in the potential economic benefits from maggot farming. “From December 2024 to January 2025, YCP participants managed a total of 29,772 kg of household organic waste. On average, each participant processed one to two kilograms of waste to feed the maggots. Through this farming, the total money collected by all participants amounted to Rp6,025,000 from the sale of maggots,” he explained.
Arniah Purwanti, one of the training participants from Tapos District, Depok City, shared that she became interested in maggot management training because it could bring economic profit. She previously struggled to sell the maggots she cultivated. “I saw on social media that maggots could be sold. But it was really hard to find a market. Now, with this waste management program by YCP, I know where to sell the maggots I raise. So, it’s easier now,” said Arniah.
Nursinaini, a member of the Women’s Economic Empowerment Group (KUEP) of Perempuan Mandiri in Sido Mulyo Village, Musi Banyuasin, stated that her group is actively involved in managing household organic waste using maggots. “We manage household organic waste from six families. The waste we process includes food scraps, fruit, and vegetables,” she explained.
According to Nursinaini, KUEP Perempuan Mandiri is also active in educating the surrounding community. “The local community is also taught to get used to separating organic and inorganic waste. The household waste we collect is processed for BSF maggot farming. Some of the maggots are also used as feed for KUB chickens managed by KUEP members,” she concluded.
Author: Kukuh A. Tohari
Editor: Swiny Adestika
Is Filicide Caused by Violence Against Women?
According to a report from Kompas.id published on January 18, 2025, Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) Commissioner Diyah Puspitarini stated that Indonesia is currently facing a filicide emergency. Throughout the year, KPAI recorded 60 cases of child murder by their parents. She explained that filicide in Indonesia is caused by economic, social factors, and a lack of parental understanding in child-rearing. Referring to the SIMFONI-PPA data from the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPA) as of January 2025, cases of violence committed by parents ranked third, with 299 cases.
An academic report titled Filicide: A Literature Review, published by The University of Manchester, defines filicide as the murder of a child under the age of 18 committed by biological parents, guardians, or stepparents.
Novita Anggraeni, Gender and Social Inclusion Specialist at the Yayasan CARE Peduli (YCP), stated that filicide is a form of gender-based violence that occurs against children. In family relations, children are the most vulnerable group. “In every family facing issues such as economic hardship or other conflicts, children often become the outlet for anger when parents cannot express it to their partners, as a result of power relations or as a tool to show control,” she said on Monday (February 10).
Furthermore, Novita explained that violence against children is a derivative of gender-based violence experienced by women within families, as well as the gender-biased norms in society.
“In cases of altruistic filicide, where parents kill their children to prevent them from suffering, this is often committed by women who are victims of domestic violence. A sense of helplessness due to the imbalanced power dynamics in the family and despair from feeling that they have no other options often drives women, especially those who are victims of violence, to become perpetrators,” she continued.
She also explained that male superiority plays a role in filicide. Toxic masculinity drives men to interpret family leadership as ownership. This also becomes a reason why men commit various forms of violence to control their families.
A study titled Analysis of Factors and Efforts to Address Domestic Violence by Husbands Against Wives and Children (2024) mentions that openness and communication are key factors in the occurrence of domestic violence. “Gender equality in families needs to be encouraged because equal respect for women and children will gradually change the culture of violence within the home. In equal families, healthy communication patterns that strengthen each other are built, minimizing frustration and negative emotions that may lead to violence, including filicide,” explained Novita.
She further stated that filicide cases can be prevented if society collectively becomes more aware of recognizing signs of violence against women and children. “Domestic violence (DV) is not a private matter; everyone has a responsibility to intervene when signs of violence appear. In some cases, filicide is the culmination of a series of violent acts against a child, including witnessing physical, verbal, or economic violence towards women,” she added.
According to her, if someone becomes a victim of long-term violence and feels unsupported, they may become desperate, unable to protect their child, and this can lead to filicide. “Mental maturity and the ability to understand one’s own needs and emotions help people assess risks and avoid filicide. Children raised in violent households tend to imitate or tolerate such behavior. When they grow up, they may become perpetrators themselves or accept various forms of violence, seeing it as a solution,” concluded Novita.
Author: Kukuh A. Tohari
Editor: Swiny Adestika
Youth in KSB Encouraged to Prevent Child Marriage and Stunting
In 2023, UNICEF reported that Indonesia ranks fourth globally for the number of girls married under the age of 18, with 25.53 million affected. This also places Indonesia at the top of Southeast Asia for child marriage cases. A study by WHO Indonesia found that one of the causes of stunting in the country is the prevalence of early marriage.
According to a report from rri.co.id, the rate of child marriage in Sumbawa Barat (KSB) Regency remains relatively high. Thus, involving young people in socialization activities about reproductive health and the dangers of child marriage is seen as an effective way to build awareness and change mindsets in the community, especially among children.
Muhammad Ikraman, Project Manager at CARE Indonesia, emphasized the importance of engaging youth through the Child Forum in campaigns to prevent child marriage. “Involving teenagers in preventing child marriage is expected to allow them to communicate effectively with their peers using youth-friendly language. This can inspire other children to follow positive examples. Last December, a youth class was held at SMPN 1 Jeraweh and SMPN 1 Sekongkang, with a total of 100 students participating,” he said on Wednesday (January 15).
Ikraman explained that the child forum was established due to the high rate of stunting in the villages, as well as cases of children who are pregnant and suffering from chronic energy deficiency (KEK), receiving supplementary feeding in KSB. “The child forum was created as a platform for them to engage in positive activities and create awareness to prevent stunting. From this forum, children are selected as facilitators to educate their peers on reproductive health and the dangers of child marriage,” he added.
“Currently, five villages have established Child Forums, namely Maluk, Pasir Putih, Mantun, Benete, and Bukit Damai. The forum will also be expanded to other villages in the Maluk District. At present, the Child Forum has a total of 104 members, consisting of 63 girls and 41 boys,” Ikraman continued.
He mentioned that child marriages in KSB often occur due to a lack of understanding among teenagers about reproductive health and the risks of early marriage. “Economic factors also push families to marry off their children earlier. Some children marry to escape their families because they feel uncomfortable living at home,” he said.
Meiry Nasution, Health & Nutrition Specialist at CARE Indonesia, explained how child marriage contributes to stunting. “When a child becomes pregnant, their reproductive system is not ready to bear and develop a baby. This can lead to complications during pregnancy, such as bleeding due to underdeveloped hips, pre-eclampsia, anemia, miscarriage, premature birth, and low birth weight. Babies born with low birth weight need special care, but teenage mothers often lack the knowledge to care for their babies properly. This can result in stunting, as the babies do not receive adequate nutrition,” she explained.
She further added that the impact of child marriage is detrimental to children’s futures. “With child marriage, most of these children cannot continue their education, cannot pursue their dreams, and must work to support their families. Psychological impacts, such as stress, shame, and anxiety, can also affect children who have babies at a young age,” Meiry explained.
Meiry also highlighted efforts to strengthen child marriage prevention, mentioning that two villages in the Maluk District have issued village regulations (Perdes) on child protection. “Currently, the villages of Pasir Putih and Maluk have adopted Perdes on Child Protection. This regulation was introduced due to the high rate of child marriage in Maluk and the vulnerability of children, such as underage worker, pregnancy, and the high incidence of stunting. The presence of this regulation has led to changes such as preventing child marriages, eliminating underage worker in coastal cafes, and parents canceling their children’s marriages,” she said.
Efforts to prevent child marriage in Sumbawa Barat Regency involve multiple parties, including CARE Peduli Foundation, PT Amman Mineral, and the local government of KSB.
Rina Kartika, a Midwife and Youth Health Program Assistant, praised the involvement of young people in the prevention of child marriage. According to her, participants in the Youth Class were enthusiastic about the material and discussions on information and knowledge they could not obtain in the classroom. “The youth class on reproductive health education to prevent early marriage is very beneficial for teenagers. They can gain knowledge outside of school hours and open up new perspectives for children. I hope this continues and we can collaborate further in the future,” Rina concluded.
Author: Kukuh A. Tohari
Editor: Swiny Adestika
The Musi Banyuasin Community Participates in Wildfire Prevention and Control Training
23 participants representing the villages of Cipta Praja, Dawas, Sukadamai, Sri Gunung, Bumi Kencana, and Panca Tunggal in Musi Banyuasin Regency took part in the Masyarakat Peduli Api (MPA) training, organized by CARE Indonesia in collaboration with the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) and the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) of Musi Banyuasin Regency (January 20-23).
Participants learned about disaster prevention and response, particularly regarding fires, as well as evacuation planning through discussion sessions and practical exercises. After the training, all participating villages will be developed into Disaster-Resilient Villages by BPBD.
Village Savings & Loan Association Annual Report 2024
Fulfill Family Nutrition and Nutrition, KUMP Bariri and DASHAT Team Harvest Vegetables in the Nutrition Garden
The Women’s Micro Business Group (KUMP) Bariri and the Healthy Kitchen for Stunting (DASHAT) team from Talonang Baru Village, West Sumbawa Regency (KSB), successfully harvested vegetables, including five kilograms of long beans and two kilograms of bottle gourd, from their nutrition garden (9/1). In addition to these two types of vegetables, the nutrition garden also grows mustard greens, water spinach, eggplant, chili, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, ginger, turmeric, and tomatoes. With the existence of the nutrition garden managed by KUMP Bariri and the DASHAT team, it becomes easier for members of both groups to access fresh vegetables in their surroundings. Additional Nutritious Meal (PMT) program is a collaboration between Amman Mineral, CARE Indonesia, and the KSB Government, aimed at accelerating the reduction of stunting.
The harvest is sold to increase the income of group members, and some of it is processed into meals for the PMT. The profits from the sales are also used for garden maintenance expenses, such as purchasing fertilizer, pesticides, and gardening tools.
20 Years After the Tsunami Disaster in Aceh, CARE Indonesia’s Beudoh Program Support Still Stands Strong
Around 07:58 WIB, a 9.1 magnitude earthquake struck the Indian Ocean to the west of Sumatra Island, followed by a tsunami wave that claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people. The province of Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam was the hardest hit, with an estimated 170,000 people losing their lives. Undoubtedly, this event left deep scars for the survivors.
Despite having lost so much, the people of Aceh never lost their spirit to rise again. Yayasan CARE Peduli (CARE Indonesia), which was known as CARE International Indonesia at the time, assisted tsunami victims through the Beudoh program, which in the local language means “to rise.” CARE Indonesia worked hand-in-hand with local communities to improve the situation, including a housing reconstruction program that continues to stand strong and is still inhabited by residents today.
Assigned to a Devastated Land
Marthen Malo was one of the CARE Indonesia staff involved in the handling of the Aceh tsunami disaster in 2004. “After the tsunami hit Aceh, around February 2005, I was assigned to Simeuleu Island, located to the west of Sumatra. This island is quite far from Banda Aceh, but it was one of the affected areas,” he said.
He explained that the Beudoh program carried out by CARE Indonesia in Aceh focused on nutrition, reconstruction, clean water needs, sanitation, and health. “The tsunami waves also destroyed many buildings, so the survivors needed supplies to support their health. Therefore, when CARE Indonesia arrived, it focused on providing clean water, sanitation facilities, and nutrition to support the community’s health at that time,” he said.
“Initially, I was assigned to Simeuleu Island to implement post-disaster programs. But a few months later, I was sent to Aceh Besar to carry out a reconstruction program, which involved building homes for around 1,500 families who had lost their homes due to the tsunami waves. The housing program for tsunami victims was spread across five locations in Banda Aceh and Aceh Besar,” Marthen explained.
“The aid programs for disaster victims carried out by CARE Indonesia at that time received support from CARE International members such as CARE Australia, CARE United Kingdom, CARE United States, CARE Canada, CARE Netherlands, and CARE Germany. There were also private companies that helped, such as The Boeing Company,” Marthen added.
Efforts to Rise
Marthen shared that he witnessed the tsunami-affected community living with many limitations. Many had lost family members, and many had lost their homes. “What impressed me about the people of Aceh was their spirit to rise again. I remember, the people of Aceh are hardworking. We worked together to restore the situation. They worked cooperatively, helping each other. The people of Aceh are strong and willing to fight,” he emphasized.
Wiwik Widyastuti, a CARE Indonesia staff member who served in Aceh in 2005, also shared similar sentiments about the resilience of the people of Aceh. “I saw the toughness of the people of Aceh rising again after losing so much. The community there supported each other to remain strong and continue with life,” Wiwik added.
Wiwik mentioned that one of the housing reconstruction projects conducted by CARE Indonesia was located in Kota Jantho, Aceh Besar. “This location was chosen because it had minimal risk of disasters like earthquakes and tsunamis, and there was still plenty of vacant land to be used for settlement. The land was owned by the government, which made it easier to cooperate and obtain the necessary permits from related institutions,” she explained.
She further elaborated that the procedure for providing housing aid faced its own challenges due to the loss of important documents by the residents when the waves struck. “At that time, we worked with various government agencies and other humanitarian organizations that were operating in Aceh to verify data to ensure the aid reached the right recipients. Many tsunami victims no longer had important documents because they had been swept away by the waves. Therefore, we coordinated and asked neighbors or relatives of the aid recipients,” she said.
Successfully Rising Again
The tsunami occurred 20 years ago. According to Wiwik, the people of Aceh have now successfully risen and are in a better place. “Now, physical development and the quality of life of the people have improved. Women in Aceh now have better opportunities. They can access education and have better careers than before,” she said.
Marthen recalled that 20 years ago, the housing aid recipients, who were mostly from the coastal areas, had to struggle in new places far from the sea. “The housing was given to those who were committed to becoming beneficiaries and were willing to farm. This posed a challenge for them to adapt to their new surroundings,” he explained.
According to acehprov.go.id, the housing complex named Perumahan CARE in Kota Jantho, Aceh Besar, which was once one of the relocation sites for tsunami victims from CARE Indonesia, is now inhabited by 189 families. Seventy percent of the residents are farmers, while the rest are civil servants, military personnel, police officers, and people with other professions. “If I get the chance, I want to visit Aceh again. I want to see the community that has risen,” Marthen concluded.
Writer: Kukuh A. Tohari
Editor: Swiny Adestika
Photo: Renee Picasso Manoppo/May 2005
The Importance of Public Engagement in Fighting Violence Against Women
CARE Indonesia has launched a campaign to raise awareness against violence against women in public spaces. In collaboration with the PERISAI network (Pejuang Resiliensi Solidaritas Anti Kekerasan), the public was encouraged to join in voicing their rejection of violence against women, both online and offline. This initiative is part of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign (16 HAKTP), as well as a commemoration of Women’s Movement Day on December 22.
Dr. Abdul Wahib Situmorang, CEO of CARE Indonesia, stated that creating a safe space free from violence against women requires collective effort and awareness. “To push for and protect women from various forms of violence and sexual harassment cannot be done alone; it must be done by multiple parties,” he said while participating in the walk event on Sunday, December 22, during the Car-Free Day (HBKB) along Sudirman-Thamrin Street in Jakarta.
Abdul further explained that collaboration between groups, organizations, and institutions is also crucial in strengthening the struggle to convey aspirations. “We involve women’s activists from Purwakarta and Sukabumi to move together and fight to voice their aspirations. One of the ways is through the walk event to speak out against violence against women, and we also previously held a webinar themed #SayaBerani to Speak Out Against Violence Against Women,” he added.
The walk campaign at HBKB in Jakarta went smoothly and orderly. Chants and poetry readings voiced loudly by 40 PERISAI members caught the attention of those participating in activities at the location. A theatrical performance by PERISAI members on the sidewalk also drew the attention of hundreds of passersby. More than 100 people took part in writing their support to fight violence against women on the “tree of hope.”
Misrawati, a member of Jekata Purwakarta who participated in the walk event and was one of the speakers in the webinar, emphasized that women must have the same opportunities as men. However, she pointed out that women are still vulnerable to threats of violence. “Many places are still prone to violence against women, including in households. Therefore, socializing with the public is essential to stop violence against women,” she stated.
Misrawati also expressed that violence against women can be eliminated if society becomes more aware of the dangers of such actions. “With the awareness of all parties, whether men or women, within families or community spaces, violence against women can be rejected,” she explained.
Mimi, one of the supporters during the campaign, encouraged victims of violence to slowly open up about their experiences. “Anyone who experiences or knows about it, as women, we must fight and report it to the authorities so that the perpetrators face proper punishment,” she said.
On another occasion, Siti Aminah Tardi, Commissioner of the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), explained that gender-based violence against women is primarily dominated by psychological violence, followed by sexual violence, physical violence, with economic violence being the least reported. She noted that the low number of reported cases of economic violence is due to society’s lack of awareness of what constitutes economic violence. “Economic violence accounts for less than ten percent, and I believe this is because many in our society still do not recognize the forms of economic violence,” she explained during the 16 HAKTP webinar with the theme #SayaBerani Speak Out Against Violence Against Women on December 19.
To over 60 webinar participants, Siti called for both the public and institutions to strengthen education and campaigns to raise awareness of economic violence cases so that they become widely known. “Economic violence against women should also be a focus of attention. From my knowledge, there are still few institutions giving enough intensive attention to the issue,” she added.
During the same webinar session, Herawati, a member of the Gender-Based Violence Victim Support Group in Musi Banyuasin Regency, stated that an open campaign to reject violence against women is vital to prevent further victims. “In order to reduce violence against women, my colleagues and I in the case handling team conduct campaigns in our community area, so that more people are aware and motivated to prevent violence against women,” she said.
In line with Herawati, Istiqomah, a member of the Gender-Based Violence Victim Support Group in West Sumbawa Regency, emphasized that women who are victims of violence must have the courage to speak out and report. Of course, this can happen if victims receive support and accompaniment from those around them. “We provide assistance to ensure that women have the courage to report violence within the household. Our hope is that victims and those who are aware of the violence will have the courage to report and speak out so that the issue can be addressed appropriately and does not happen again in the future,” concluded Istiqomah.
Author: Kukuh A. Tohari
Editor: Swiny Adestika
Campaign to Raise Voices Against Violence Towards Women
Commemorating the Indonesian Women’s Movement Day on December 22, the Resilience Fighters Anti-Violence Solidarity Community (Perisai), together with the Empowerment Network for Resilient Women (Jekata) from Sukabumi and Purwakarta, supported by CARE Indonesia, held a leisurely walk at the Car Free Day event on Sudirman-Thamrin Street, Jakarta, attended by 40 participants.
Aspiration was also expressed through the reading of poems, theatrical performances, and chants with the theme of anti-violence against women. Over 100 aspirations and community support messages were written on a wish tree. On this occasion, the Commissioner of the National Commission on Violence Against Women, Siti Aminah Tardi, also expressed her support.
