Stephanie Copus-Campbell, Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality, recently visited the Women’s School (Sekolah Perempuan) in Bali, an empowering initiative spearheaded by KAPAL Perempuan and facilitated by Bali Sruti under the INKLUSI program. This visit underscored the shared commitment between Australia and Indonesia to advancing gender equality and empowering women in urban and rural communities.
During her visit, Stephanie engaged directly with members of Sekolah Perempuan, who shared their transformational journeys through leadership training, critical awareness programs, and advocacy initiatives. She commended their dedication to improving their own lives while uplifting their communities.
“Sekolah Perempuan is a powerful, community-led empowerment model that addresses challenges and develops solutions tailored to their needs. It’s a privilege to be here and learn from their incredible work,” said Stephanie Copus-Campbell.
Supported by Bali Sruti, Sekolah Perempuan plays a vital role in addressing systemic challenges faced by women in the region, particularly in accessing economic opportunities, participating in political processes, and receiving protection against gender-based violence. Members have also established a Complaint Post to provide services for victims of violence and child marriage and assist with securing legal identity documents needed to access government services.
Luh Riniti Rahayu, Chairperson of Bali Sruti, highlighted the significant progress made by members of Sekolah Perempuan since its inception. “They have become more confident, outspoken, and actively participate in public discussions and village development planning processes,” she said.
Novita, a member of Sekolah Perempuan, shared her personal transformation. “I used to be an ordinary housewife. After joining Sekolah Perempuan, I learned organisational skills. Now, I have gained experience and am included in village meetings, where I can advocate for the women’s needs to local governments.”
Through Sekolah Perempuan, Bali Sruti and KAPAL Perempuan are also working to prevent violence against women, including the practice of female genital mutilation, which persists in parts of Indonesia. Misiyah, Executive Board Member of KAPAL Perempuan, expressed her hopes for the initiative. “Sekolah Perempuan serves as a bridge to foster gender equality, particularly in tackling child marriage, female genital mutilation, violence against women, and other social issues.”
This visit by Australia’s Ambassador for Gender Equality reflects the strong commitment between Australia and Indonesia to fostering sustainable social transformation in pursuit of gender equality and inclusive communities. “Everyone deserves to live with dignity, free from violence, and achieve their full potential,” Stephanie Copus-Campbell concluded.
Watch the full recording of the Ambassador’s visit here
Watch the interview with Bali Sruti and the Ambassador here
