In a village in Nias Selatan where a Community-Based Integrated Child Protection (PATBM) initiative was started by KREASI, a growing concern continues to loom: child marriage. In that village lives Tuti (not her real name), a housewife and a figure who deeply cares about the future of children in her community. For her, every child has the right to education, time to play, and the opportunity to pursue their dreams.
Reality in her village says otherwise, as cases of early marriage keep increasing. Ironically, when residents try to seek help from the authorities, the response often comes too late.
“They only come after the child is already married. Once it happens, what can we do? We need preventive action, not just response after the fact,” said Tuti.
She found and actively participated in various activities organized by KREASI, especially those focusing on PATBM.
For Tuti, joining KREASI’s sessions on PATBM was a turning point. She learned many things: the importance of early prevention, how to build a child protection system starting at the community level, and effective advocacy and accompaniment techniques.
“The trainings from KREASI opened my eyes that change must start from our own village. We cannot just wait for help; we must become the first line of defense,” she said.
Armed with the knowledge she gained, Tuti, together with the village head, community leaders, and village administrators, collaborated to activate PATBM in her village by planning regular awareness sessions for parents and adolescents about the dangers of child marriage—from health risks to the loss of educational opportunities.
They established a community complaint post that is easier to access and able to respond quickly to any information about potential child marriages. They also formed a support team ready to talk with families planning to marry off their underage children, providing education and offering alternative solutions.