Thousands young womenof Bandung Regency has grown a much higher appreciation for themselves and are now eager to plan their future.

“I’m quiet and rarely socialize. Not many people know the story of my sad life, “said Alya Nurul Wijaya, a seventh grade student of SMP Pasundan 1, starting her story.

She will never forget how sad she was four years ago, when her parents divorced. Alya and her mother moved to her grandfather’s house. Her mother then became a domestic worker (PRT) to support the family and pay for Alya’s education.

“Actually, I want to become a doctor, but I am quite pessimistic considering the status of my family which is not a wealthy one,” she said.

At school, Alya tends to feel inferior, withdraws herself, and rarely socializes. She thinks the other students at her school don’t like her. All, except for one person who later became her best friend, Aida. She is the one who often helps Alya in difficult times and also encourages Alya to continue participating in the Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement (PACE) program held at their school.

PACE is designed to prepare girls to become resilient. This is done by increasing the capacity of girls aged 12 to 18 years in Bandung Regency. More than 3,000 people, including students and teachers, participated in PACE. The materials discussed range from self-introduction, emotional management, understanding gender and puberty, planning to achieve goals, leadership, problem solving, to work feasibility.

Alya found the topics of “dreams” and “financial management” as the most interesting ones. From that, she got the idea of ​​selling snacks at school, which enabled her to save some money. “I hope that I can consistently strive to achieve my goals, so that someday I can make my mother happy,” she said.

In another school, SMP PGRI, we meet Fitriani, 14 years old. The benefit that she felt from the PACE materials is her growth for self-respect. Fitriani used to feel ashamed about her body – which she felt was bigger than her peers.

“The PACE facilitator, who is also my teacher, explained that all human beings are born equal. God gave us perfect bodies. We, as humans, are obliged to care and nurture it. From then on, I felt more appreciative and grateful for what God has given me, “she explained.

Fitriani also understands more about reproductive health. Previously, she only changed her sanitary napkin twice a day during menstruation. PACE made her understand that women’s reproductive organs are susceptible to disease, hence must be kept and maintained clean. Now, during menstruation she changes sanitary napkins up to four times per day.

Meanwhile, at SMP Pemuda there is Anggia Nurlaila who is in class VIII. The PACE material that made the most lasting impression for Anggia was the introduction of the human body. Especially about which part of the body that should not be touched by anyone.

“Before joining PACE, I always wondered to myself. Which body part should we really take care of? I once saw a girl treated inappropriately by some guy, who poked her chin and touched her breasts. It turns out that such actions are a form of harassment and is not allowed, ”said Anggia.

The lesson she learned from this topic was that young girls must understand the “good” and the “bad” when socializing. Teenagers have to take care of themselves, especially when hanging out with their friends.

The topic about their body turned out to be one of the most exciting discussions in schools, including at SMPN 1 Banjaran. Diah Yuliah, a PACE facilitator, said that many students initially had the image of a beautiful body as a woman with white skin, pointed nose, with a slender body just like Korean girl band singers.

One of Diah’s students was very reluctant to take part in extracurricular activities because she felt insecure about her dark-coloured skin and her physical looks. In fact, the student was actually very interested in joining the extracurricular activity.

“During our discussion about the perfect body, she was brave enough to express it. This became a subject of discussion which continued through individual counseling. This student then changed her perception about beauty and perfection. She became active again in extracurricular activities, without worrying much about it anymore,”she said.

Talking about their dreams, more and more participants are confident that they can achieve them. One of them is Rizky Puri Ayuningtyas, a student of SMP 1 Pasundan.

“Girls also have the right to dream big. After learning more about the special qualities of women, I became confident and and more determined to achieve my dreams. I will prove that I can achieve that dream, ”said Rizky excitedly.

Personal and Career Development (Personal Advancement and Career Enhancement / PACE)

Objective: Prepare resilient women for the future through self-capacity building (soft skills) designed for young girls aged 12-18 years

Duration: 2018-2019

Location: Bandung Regency

Number of beneficiaries as of January 2020: 3,269 people

Implementing partner:

Funding support: Abercrombie