PORTALJABAR, GARUT REGENCY - Garut Regency is in the international spotlight with the arrival of 16 Ethiopian delegates from 5 countries (Ethiopia, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya and the Netherlands) who are members of the Power to You(th) Program to carry out linking and learning activities on August 14-15, 2024.

This visit aims to understand more deeply about the implementation of Reproductive and Sexual Health Education (PKRS) in Garut Regency, which has been running since 2021.

PKRS in Garut Regency began as a pilot project involving four schools (3 junior high schools and 1 MTs) and has now expanded to more than 300 junior high schools/equivalent. This program is the result of collaboration between the Gemilang Sehat Indonesia Foundation (YGSI), the Semak Foundation, and the Garut Regency Government (Pemdakab).

According to Country Coordinator Power to You(th) Indonesia Desrina Dewi Respati, this activity is an opportunity to learn from each other about PKRS practices implemented in various countries.

He said that the activities in Garut Regency began with meetings and direct discussions with young people in Garut, who are members of the Village Youth Communication Forum (FKRD) Mekarjaya, Ranwilayaho, Karyasari, and Garut Youth Advisory, where these young people were indeed involved in the Power to You(th) program in Garut Regency.

In addition, the group held a meeting with the Population Control, Family Planning, Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Service (DPPKBPPPA) of Garut Regency, to hear a direct explanation of the implementation of PKRS from the Education Service (Disdik) and other parties.

The delegates had the opportunity to conduct a Q&A session with the ranks of the Garut District Government, regarding the efforts and policies that have been made, so that PKRS in Garut Regency can run well.

The Power to You(th) consortium was warmly received by the Regional Secretary (Sekda) of Garut Regency, Nurdin Yana, in the Pamengkang Room, Pendopo Garut.

On the second day, precisely Thursday (15/8/2024), the delegates visited schools that had implemented PKRS in Garut Regency, namely MTs An-Nashr and SMPN 1 Banyuresmi.

At the location, the delegates received direct exposure from the school that held the PKRS and also testimonials from students who had participated in the PKRS. Not only that, they also visited several locations at the school, to conduct observations at educational units that did implement the PKRS in Garut Regency.

"So here we will learn from each other to know the best practices of each country, but maybe in Garut, there are actually many friends from Euthopia who are learning," said Desrina, Thursday (15/8/2024).

Desrina explained the reason for choosing Garut Regency as the location for linking and learning, because Garut is the most progressive region in implementing PKRS, which is combined with a strong commitment from the local government and stakeholders.

According to him, the young people who are members of the Power to You(th) program in Garut Regency have been institutionalized, and are able to obtain village funds from the government and network with youth organizations at the district level, so that Garut is an ideal place for delegates to learn about the implementation of Power to You(th) in Indonesia.

"Now they are doing a field visit here, so they will learn what lessons can be taken to be adapted or adopted in their respective countries," he said.