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Mengubah Stigma Menjadi Kekuatan: Perjuangan Nurhayati Dewi dalam Memperjuangkan Hak-hak Disabilitas
In 2012, Nurhayati Ratna Sari Dewi received news that would change the course of her life: she was being laid off from her job after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The dismissal was not just a professional setback, it was a deeply personal blow that highlighted the harsh stigma surrounding mental health in Indonesia.
But in 2023, she proved that a mental health condition did not define one’s potential when she was selected for the Australia Awards Short Course on the Role of Government and Organisations for People with Disabilities (OPDs) in the Implementation of Policy Reform for Inclusive Development, run by the University of Sydney. The prestigious course brought together 22 disability advocates and policymakers from across the region.
"Being selected for the Short Course was more than just an academic opportunity—it was a statement," Dewi said. "It proved that people with psychosocial disabilities can achieve great things, despite the stigma we face."
Turning Personal Struggles into Public Advocacy
Back in 2012, after her dismissal, Dewi became acutely aware of the discrimination people with mental health conditions face in Indonesia. While workplaces were willing to accommodate physical illnesses, psychosocial disorders like bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression were often met with misunderstanding and exclusion.
Determined to change this, Dewi joined Bipolar Care Indonesia, a peer support group providing a safe space for individuals living with bipolar disorder. Her passion for advocacy quickly grew, and by 2021, she had taken on the role of Head of the Jakarta Branch of the Indonesia Mental Health Association (IMHA).
Through IMHA, Dewi has led numerous campaigns and initiatives aimed at raising awareness about psychosocial disabilities and fighting for legal protections. However, it was her experience with the Australia Awards Short Course that gave her the tools to take her advocacy to the next level.
Dewi had previously applied for the Australia Awards Short Course in 2022 that focused on Leadership for Youth Interfaith Women Leaders but was not selected. However, she did not let that setback deter her. With the support of her IMHA colleague, Richard Kennedy, a visually impaired disability rights advocate and Australia Awards scholar at Flinders University, she refined her application and was accepted into the 2023 course.
The Short Course not only provided academic insights but also broadened Dewi’s understanding of Australia’s inclusive approach to disability rights.
“It’s incredible to see how Australia provided an equal opportunity for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities to pursue tertiary education. During the Short Course, I observed how Australia provides reasonable accommodations for participants with disabilities. Course materials were specially formatted for participants with dyslexia, and I was provided with a private space to rest and manage my condition during the sessions,” she shared.
Her time in Australia also opened her eyes to the importance of intersectional perspectives in disability advocacy. "Meeting colleagues from diverse backgrounds broadened my understanding of disability issues, allowing me to see disability issues from different angles, such as the government’s perspective," Dewi explained.
Helping People with Disabilities Access Free Healthcare
One of the key components of the Short Course was the Award Project, where participants applied their learning to real-world challenges. Dewi and her team, which included government officials and fellow disability advocates, focused on developing and improving healthcare access for people with disabilities in Kemusu Subdistrict, Boyolali Regency, Central Java.
"Our group assisted individuals with disabilities in Kemusu to register state health insurance BPJS Kesehatan under the Contribution Assistance Recipients (PBI) scheme, where premiums are fully covered by the government," Dewi said.
From January to April 2023, Dewi and her team coordinated with local authorities, including the Boyolali Regency Government and the Health and Social Affairs Departments, to streamline the registration process. They also conducted home visits to individuals with severe disabilities.
"We arranged ambulance rides for them to go out. They were so happy because many had never left their homes before," Dewi recalled.
Through their efforts, the team successfully helped around 100 individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities gain BPJS PBI membership. Inspired by this success, Dewi is now advocating for similar initiatives in Jakarta.
"At IMHA Jakarta Branch, we are pushing for a gubernatorial regulation that will include people with disabilities under the BPJS PBI scheme. Many individuals face higher living costs due to their needs," she said.
Challenging Discriminatory Laws
Dewi’s advocacy doesn’t stop at healthcare. She has also been at the forefront of challenging discriminatory laws that limit the rights of people with psychosocial disabilities. In September 2022, Dewi and IMHA Indonesia filed a Judicial Review to the Indonesian Constitutional Court (MK), challenging Article 433 of the Indonesian Civil Code (KUHPerdata), which mandated guardianship for individuals with mental disabilities.
"The law assumed that all people with mental disabilities were incapable of making legal decisions, stripping us of our autonomy," Dewi said.
During the Short Course, Dewi rallied support from her fellow participants, requesting letters of endorsement and amicus curiae submissions to strengthen their case.
"In March 2023, the Constitutional Court ruled in our favour, stating that not all individuals with disabilities need to be placed under guardianship," she shared. "This decision restored our legal capacity to engage in contracts and other transactions, marking a significant step forward in our fight for equal rights."
Pursuing a Postponed Dream
Long after the Short Course ended, Dewi continued to collaborate with the connections she made in Australia. One of her fellow participants, Martina Natatinova Simanjuntak from the Ministry of Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform, invited her to provide input on a Ministerial Regulation to improve public services for vulnerable groups.
“The network I built through the Short Course has been invaluable. Thanks to these connections, IMHA now has better access to policymakers,” Dewi said.
While Dewi’s advocacy work has already achieved remarkable results, she is not stopping there. Her experience in Australia reignited a long-held dream to study law. In 1997, Dewi enrolled in the Faculty of Law at the University of Indonesia for her undergraduate degree but had to withdraw due to depression. But her passion for studying law never faded.
Through her work with IMHA, Dewi has been able to contribute to legal reforms and advocacy efforts, but she still dreams of formally pursuing a legal education. Having experienced Australia’s education system firsthand, Dewi is now even more determined to return to Australia for further studies.
"IMHA has been a platform for me to fulfil my dream of becoming a lawyer,” she said. “For me, it’s never too late to learn.”
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