Achieving Gender Equality and Good Governance: Australia Awards Alumni Drive the Change

The Australia Awards Short Course on Strengthening Gender Mainstreaming Implementation – Policy and Practice wrapped up with an engaging three-day Post-Course Workshop in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB). The course delivered by the University of Queensland gathered 25 dedicated professionals from government officials and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) eager to enhance gender mainstreaming in policy analysis, planning, budgeting, and implementing government policies and programs, ensuring that gender considerations are prioritised in public decision-making.

The post-course workshop featured several highlights that genuinely enriched the participant’s experience. A talk show, held in collaboration with SKALA with NTB provincial government representatives featured two outstanding speakers, Nunung Triningsih, Head of the Empowerment, Women, Child Protection, Population Control and Family Planning Office, and Eva Dewiyani, Head of the Regional Revenue Management Agency (BAPPENDA). The talk show, moderated by our Alumnus Jaka Anom Ahmad Yusuf, discussed the reduction of taxation or levies for people with disabilities, the disability action plan, and the mainstreaming of GEDSI units and forums.

In collaboration with SIAP SIAGA and BPBD-NTB, participants engaged with the Disability Services Unit (ULD) and the NTB disability community to discuss management and service procedure experiences in inclusive disaster management. They also visited the captivating Adat Bayan village (partner village of Lakpesdam KLU under INKLUSI), noting significant challenges in advancing GEDSI, especially in preventing child marriage within Indigenous communities. Despite national laws, grassroots implementation is complex due to diverse Indigenous norms and values.

The post-course workshop was significantly enriched by the Award Project presented by all participants, highlighting creative solutions that can effectively enhance the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of relevant policies and strategies within their institutions. We look forward to witnessing their transformative contributions and future successes as esteemed members of the Australia Awards alumni!