As part of the Post-course Workshop for the Australia Awards Indonesia (AAI) Short Course on Strengthening Gender Mainstreaming – Policies and Practices, participants travelled to Bayan Village in North Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, in late January 2025. The visit aimed to explore effective ways of integrating gender perspectives into community-led development policies. The workshop participants included representatives from government ministries, civil society organisations, academia, and development partners.
During the visit, they learned how North Lombok has implemented customary approaches to prevent child marriage and strengthen protection for women and children.
Lakpesdam PWNU NTB, a local partner of the INKLUSI program, has played a key role in promoting inclusive policies at the village level. Muhammad Hasan Basri, the Village Secretary of Bayan, highlighted how Bayan has become a model for inclusive villages, where all community groups actively participate in planning and evaluating development initiatives. He also acknowledged Lakpesdam PWNU NTB’s contribution in expanding village-level engagement in policy discussions at the provincial and national levels.
“Bayan is now an independent village that ensures the participation of all groups—including older people, children, and people with disabilities—in planning and decision-making. Lakpesdam’s support has been instrumental in strengthening our collaboration with the local government,” said Hasan Basri.
Kariadi, a customary leader from Bayan, emphasised that collaboration between customary leaders and village authorities has been key to successfully implementing inclusive policies, particularly in preventing child marriage. The experience in Bayan shows how integrating traditional values into development policies can create a more inclusive and sustainable social ecosystem.
Firman Setyawan, a representative from AAI, praised Bayan’s approach and expressed hope that the lessons learned from this visit would inspire other regions.
“This visit provides a great opportunity for knowledge-sharing. Bayan’s experience demonstrates how inclusive policies can be strengthened through local traditions,” he said.
Jayadi, Program Coordinator of INKLUSI at Lakpesdam PWNU NTB, noted that active participation from Indigenous communities has led to tangible outcomes, including the adoption of local policies such as official directives prohibiting child marriage in several villages around Bayan.
“The Indigenous community here is not just supportive but also the driving force behind policies to prevent child marriage. Their commitment is essential for expanding this movement at the grassroots level,” said Jayadi.
He also highlighted how Lakpesdam PWNU NTB has used rudat, a traditional performing art in Pemenang Barat Village, as a creative platform to campaign against child marriage. By incorporating messages into cultural performances, the initiative aims to raise awareness through arts and traditions.
The success of Bayan’s approach offers valuable insights for other regions looking to develop local strategies for protecting women’s and children’s rights. The visit reaffirmed the importance of cross-sector collaboration and community-led approaches in shaping inclusive policies with lasting impact.
Through the INKLUSI program, Lakpesdam PWNU NTB remains committed to strengthening partnerships between government and civil society organisations to ensure that no one is left behind.
