Yayasan Gemilang Sehat Indonesia proudly announces its official launch event, marking a significant milestone in its journey to strengthen Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) in Indonesia, held on 29 April 2024 in Jakarta.
Under the theme “Together Towards a Brighter Future,” the launch event was attended by Lambert Grijns, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Indonesia; Marieke van der Plas, Executive Director of Rutgers Netherlands; Lany Harijanti, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Yayasan Gemilang Sehat Indonesia, along with board members, representatives from relevant ministries and government institutions, stakeholders from various national and international non-profit organisations, academics, and programme partners.
In her opening remarks, Lany stated: “Yayasan Gemilang Sehat Indonesia embodies our commitment to continuously advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights, as well as preventing gender-based and sexual violence. This organisational transformation is grounded in our belief that sustainability and growth are essential to strengthening and advancing our mission.”
Previously known as Rutgers Indonesia, Yayasan Gemilang Sehat Indonesia was established following its separation from Rutgers Netherlands, with both organisations sharing a longstanding focus on sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). This partnership journey, which began in 1997 under the World Population Fund (WPF), has benefited 107,182 individuals, including 12,760 young people who have actively participated in promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights and preventing gender-based and sexual violence.
Lambert Grijns acknowledged the important role of Yayasan Gemilang Sehat Indonesia and Rutgers Netherlands in advancing development in the field of sexual and reproductive health, while emphasising that significant challenges remain ahead:
“We should be grateful for and appreciative of organisations such as Rutgers and YGSI. In particular, I would like to congratulate Yayasan Gemilang Sehat Indonesia (YGSI) and Rutgers Netherlands for their tireless efforts in sustaining this positive progress while continuing to encourage governments to remain vigilant and accountable. However, this important mission is far from complete, and many challenges remain unresolved. Across the world, countless individuals still lack access to sexual and reproductive health and rights, while many others continue to suffer from gender-based violence. These are not merely social issues; they also represent barriers to economic growth and stability.”
Furthermore, Marieke van der Plas remarked in her speech: “As we reflect on this deeply connected history, we celebrate a legacy of collaboration and friendship that continues to shape our future,” said Marieke. “As we embark on this new chapter, we do so on the strong foundation of trust and shared learning between our two organisations,” she added.
As one of the key highlights of the event, an interactive dialogue session titled “Breaking the Boundaries toward CSE Sustainability” was held to emphasise the importance of sustaining comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education for young people. The discussion featured several distinguished speakers, including Rachmadi Widdiharto, Director of Primary Education Teachers at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology; Putra Asga Elevri, Director of Secondary and Special Education Teachers at the same ministry; Riksma Nurahmi Rinalti Akhlan, Head of the Undergraduate Special Education Programme, Faculty of Education, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia; and Sanyulandy Leowalu, CSE Officer at Yayasan Gemilang Sehat Indonesia.
Sanyulandy Leowalu concluded, “The sustainability of Comprehensive Sexuality Education programmes requires strong collaboration among governments, civil society organisations, and the private sector. Through this dialogue, let us work together to develop strategies and strengthen collaboration to ensure that every individual has access to comprehensive and high-quality CSE.”
In Indonesia, one significant milestone has been the nationwide engagement of teachers and educators in Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) initiatives aimed at strengthening teachers’ capacity to deliver comprehensive reproductive health education within their respective schools. This strategic initiative seeks to enhance both understanding and pedagogical approaches to comprehensive reproductive health education, while also fostering supportive learning environments for students, particularly those in Grades 7 and 8. To date, CSE programmes have been implemented in 372 schools across seven provinces — West Java, East Java, Central Java, Bali, West Nusa Tenggara, Lampung, and Jakarta. A total of 1,795 teachers have been trained using the CSE modules, and 41,186 students have participated in CSE learning programmes.
The importance of sustaining comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education for students in Indonesia extends beyond providing a holistic understanding of reproductive health issues. It also plays a crucial role in protecting young people from health risks associated with unsafe sexual behaviour, while empowering them to make informed and responsible decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health. A comprehensive educational approach generates broader positive impacts by improving students’ physical and emotional well-being, as well as helping them build healthy and respectful relationships throughout their lives.
In this context, challenging harmful social norms becomes an essential step toward deepening understanding of CSE. Such efforts not only create space for open and constructive discussions, but also help dismantle stigma and promote inclusivity, enabling students to gain more accurate and meaningful knowledge about key aspects of sexual and reproductive health.
About Yayasan Gemilang Sehat Indonesia:
Yayasan Gemilang Sehat Indonesia (YGSI) is a non-profit organisation established following the separation of Rutgers Indonesia and Rutgers Netherlands. Founded in 2024, YGSI continues the vision and mission that have been carried forward over the past 25 years, particularly in promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and preventing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). Through its focus on education, advocacy, and community engagement, YGSI strives to foster a society that respects and upholds the rights of all individuals, especially young people.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Indira Susatio
Communications and Knowledge Management Manager
Yayasan Gemilang Sehat Indonesia
Phone: +62 812 8181 3033
Email: indira@gemilangsehat.org
