Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Rod Brazier, and Indonesia’s Vice Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Veronica Tan, visited Sekolah Perempuan facilitated by Bali Sruti, a local partner of KAPAL Perempuan, in Dauh Puri Kaja Village, Denpasar, Bali, on 27 May 2025.
The visit highlighted the strong and ongoing partnership between the Governments of Australia and Indonesia in advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment, particularly at the grassroots level through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Ambassador Brazier and Vice Minister Tan witnessed how Sekolah Perempuan integrates local cultural practices—such as Balinese gamelan music and traditional arts—as meaningful tools to strengthen women’s leadership and empowerment.
They engaged in dialogue with members of Sekolah Perempuan, recognising their efforts in preventing gender-based violence, ending child marriage, expanding access to essential services including social protection, strengthening women’s economic participation, and sharing insights on child protection in the digital age.
“This visit reflects the strong partnership between Australia and Indonesia in promoting gender equality and inclusive development. We are proud to support innovative, community-driven initiatives that empower women and other marginalised groups—ensuring no one is left behind,” said Ambassador Brazier.
Vice Minister Veronica Tan expressed her appreciation for Sekolah Perempuan, describing it as a strategic space that enables women to increase their capacity, build confidence, and actively participate in community decision-making and development processes.
As part of the visit, the delegation also visited the Pos Pengaduan (Complaint Post), an initiative established by Sekolah Perempuan that offers services to survivors of violence and child marriage, and supports women and marginalised groups in obtaining legal identity documents to access government services.
The visit concluded with a showcase of local products—including handmade crafts and processed foods—produced by members of Sekolah Perempuan. These products are the result of capacity-building activities facilitated by Bali Sruti to support women’s economic empowerment. Two per cent of the profits from the Sekolah Perempuan canteen are allocated to support survivors of violence, legal identity assistance, access to social protection, and the empowerment of marginalised women.
Chairperson of Bali Sruti, Luh Riniti Rahayu, shared that Sekolah Perempuan has played a key role in building women’s confidence to take part in village discussions and voice important issues within their communities.
The Sekolah Perempuan model, developed by KAPAL Perempuan, is implemented across 12 districts in 9 provinces. It serves as a platform to nurture grassroots women’s leadership, foster community organising and critical awareness, strengthen collective advocacy using a Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) lens, and support women’s economic development.
Through the INKLUSI program, Bali Sruti and KAPAL Perempuan remain committed to strengthening the leadership of grassroots women—ensuring their meaningful participation in development planning, the fulfilment of their rights, and their role in building an inclusive society where no one is left behind.
