SDG 5 and SDG 16 in Action: Universitas Andalas Students Enhance Women’s Political Awareness in Pauh District

Padang, May 23, 2025 — Universitas Andalas continues to support gender equality and inclusive democratic participation in line with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) through a community outreach program conducted by students of the Department of Political Science, Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), in Pauh District, Padang.

The outreach activity, titled “The Importance of Politics for Women,” was held at the Pauh District Office and targeted members of the Family Welfare Movement (PKK) as the primary participants. The program was part of the implementation of the Women and Politics course taught by Dr. Indah Adi Putri, S.IP., M.IP., and Lusi Puspika Sari, S.IP., M.IP.

The initiative was organized by a team of 13 students led by Jazil Baskara as the project coordinator. Through this activity, the students aimed to enhance public understanding of the importance of women’s involvement in political processes and public decision-making at both local and national levels.

Head of the PKK of Pauh District, Yesi Noviana David, expressed appreciation for the initiative, noting that the program provided valuable political education for PKK members. “We are very pleased with the presence of Universitas Andalas students who have shared their knowledge with PKK members. We hope this becomes a driving force for the emergence of women leaders who can bring positive change,” she stated.

The outreach program was conducted in three sessions. The first session, delivered by Jazil Baskara, introduced fundamental concepts of politics, including negotiation, conflict, compromise, and consensus-building within political systems, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of political dynamics.

In the second session, Vivi Desrianti Putri discussed the importance of women’s participation in politics, emphasizing that women’s unique social experiences position them as essential agents of change in building an inclusive and healthy democracy. The third session, presented by Yolla Nabila Fahepy, focused on the implementation of political values within PKK activities, highlighting the importance of political education, electoral neutrality, and the application of Pancasila values through community programs such as health services, deliberation forums, and human resource development.

Through this initiative, Universitas Andalas not only promotes political literacy but also strengthens collective awareness of the importance of women’s participation in social development and public policy. The program is expected to serve as a catalyst for empowering women and expanding inclusive participation in democratic processes at both local and national levels.