Efforts to build a safe, inclusive, and violence-free campus environment require active participation from student organizations. Three academics from Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS)—Marisa Kurnianingsih, Muchmad Iksan, and Syaifuddin Zuhdi—conducted a capacity-building program for female Muhammadiyah Student Association (IMMawati) cadres on August 31, 2025, at BBPMP Central Java. This educational-participatory community service project successfully enhanced students' understanding of women's issues, gender perspectives, and sexual violence prevention mechanisms in higher education. The program's findings were published in June 2026 in the Indonesian Journal of Society Development.
Sexual violence in higher education institutions remains a critical challenge that disrupts the academic ecosystem. Its impact extends beyond victims' physical health, causing severe psychological trauma, disrupting study progress, and affecting social lives. While the government has implemented protective policies and established Task Forces for the Prevention and Handling of Sexual Violence (Satgas PPKS) across campuses, implementation still faces hurdles due to low student gender literacy, fear of social stigma, and limited knowledge of formal reporting channels.
To address these challenges, the research team employed an educational-participatory method featuring a General Stadium (General Lecture), interactive discussions, and Q&A sessions. This approach encouraged participants to engage actively, think critically, and build genuine commitments to social change. Program evaluation was conducted qualitatively and descriptively by monitoring participant engagement, discussion dynamics, and feedback gathered throughout the sessions.
Based on the program evaluation, the research team highlighted several key findings:
- Enhanced Gender Understanding: Participants developed a comprehensive understanding of gender equality as providing equal opportunities without erasing biological differences.
- Clarification of Violence Forms: Participants gained broader knowledge regarding various types of sexual violence, including physical harassment, verbal abuse, and digital misconduct.
- Strengthened Satgas PPKS Synergy: Cadres obtained detailed insights into the functions of the PPKS Task Force and victim protection measures, such as maintaining identity confidentiality and preventing re-victimization.
- Actionable Commitments: IMMawati members committed to becoming educational agents on their respective campuses by planning gender literacy campaigns and seminars.
Integrating women's issue literacy with female student organization empowerment provides a strategic mechanism to strengthen campus protection systems. IMMawati's close proximity to the student body makes it an effective communication bridge between students and institutional task forces. This participatory educational model serves as a practical framework for other higher education institutions seeking to cultivate safe, equitable, and human-rights-oriented academic environments.
Author Profiles
- Marisa Kurnianingsih, S.H., M.H.: Lecturer and researcher at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), specializing in law, women's issues, and legal protection.
- Dr. Muchmad Iksan, S.H., M.H.: Senior lecturer and academic in the Faculty of Law at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS), focusing on criminal law and judicial systems.
- Syaifuddin Zuhdi, S.H., M.H.: Academic at Universitas Muhammadiyah Surakarta (UMS) with expertise in constitutional law, public policy, and community empowerment.
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