B A S A I B U W I K I - K A L I M A N TA N N E W S E I G H T H E D I T I O N ( J A N U A R Y - M A R C H 2 0 2 6 ) Creative Campaigns and Storytelling Booths Tackling Mental Health Issues in Public Spaces of Banjarbaru Students Invited to a Personal Discussion: Initiatives to Prevent Child marriage in South Kalimantan Youth-Government Dialogue Fosters Solutions to Prevent Child Marriage in South Kalimantan Digital Campaigns Emerge as a Strategy to Mitigate Child Marriage in South Kalimantan @basakalimantanwiki 2 www.basakalimantanwiki.org
Mental Health Issues in Public Spaces of Banjarbaru Youth community activities during the "Mental Health" campaign at Kilometer Zero Wabul Sawi, Banjarbaru. (photo: BiWK) A different atmosphere was apparent in the Murdjani Field and Mingguraya areas of Banjarbaru on Friday (January 30, 2026). The issue of mental health, which is usually discussed in formal forums, was presented this time with a new approach that was closer to the community— through a creative initiative by the cosplay community. This activity, initiated by BASAibu Wiki-Kalimantan was part of the dissemination and implementation of mental health issues. The cosplayers displayed posters with reflective and supportive messages, such as "You're Still Valuable Even When You're Not Productive" and "It's Okay to Feel Tired, Just Don't Give Up." These messages successfully drew visitors’ attention and opened up space for conversation, especially among young people. Beyond the visual campaign, six “Bilik Bakisah” spaces —open counseling areas that provide opportunities for young people to share their stories and concerns—were available. The presence of these safe spaces serves as an important first step in collectively maintaining mental health. This activity is a follow-up to the Public Participation Wikithon (WPP) #4, which was held in November– December 2025. During that series, young people were involved in developing ideas and solutions related to mental health issues, which were then discussed with various stakeholders, ranging from students and academics to government agencies. From this process, a policy brief was created with three main recommendations: strengthening mental health hotlines, training peer counselors, and launching community-based mental health campaigns, both online and offline. BASAibu Program Coordinator at Wiki-Kalimantan, Hudan Nur, stated that this activity is a concrete example of the role of youth in implementing the outcomes of public participation. This initiative also received recognition from the Department of Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, and Community Empowerment of Banjarbaru City, which considers creative approaches such as the "Bilik Bakisah" to be an effective step in helping individuals manage mental health issues. The series of events concluded with the reading of a policy brief by youth representatives from various communities. From this public forum, the voices of Banjarbaru’s youth once again emphasized that mental health is a shared issue that needs to be addressed sustainably.(BiWK) The "Story Room" serves as a platform to address the issue of "Mental Health" through the engagement of peer counselors. (photo: BiWK) 4
Students are encouraged to engage in direct conversation. Initiatives to Prevent Child Marriage in South Kalimantan The issue of child marriage, or nikah anum (premarital marriage), continues to be a significant concern in South Kalimantan. Despite regulations governing the legal age for marriage, this practice endures in numerous areas and is intricately connected to the daily lives of young individuals. In response to this situation, BASAibu Wiki-Kalimantan launched Wiki Bakunjang activities in various schools, providing an open forum for student discussions. Unlike formal approaches, this activity uses local languages—specifically the Banjar language—to create a more relaxed and participatory dialogue atmosphere. Through a personalized approach, students were encouraged to express their views, experiences, and concerns regarding child marriage. These discussions not only broaden perspectives but also reveal that some adolescents still witness this phenomenon firsthand in their surrounding communities. During the forum, it was also noted that South Kalimantan remains one of the regions in Indonesia with a relatively high rate of child marriage. Economic factors, limited access to education, social norms, and the lack of safe spaces for adolescents are the primary causes driving this practice to persist. The students also expressed their critical views. They argued that adolescence should be a time for learning and planning for the future, not for rushing into marriage. Additionally, reproductive health risks and mental readiness were key concerns raised during the discussion. Through this initiative, BASAibu Wiki-Kalimantan prioritizes education as the primary preventive step. By creating a safe and relevant space for dialogue among young people, it is hoped that collective awareness to reject the practice of child marriage will continue to grow—starting from the student community itself. (BIWK) Bakunjang BASAibu Wiki-Kalimantan initiatives at SMKN1 Binuang and SMAN 1 Binuang, Rantau County. (Photo: BiWK) 6
to Prevent Child Marriage in South Kalimantan TThe issue of child marriage remains a serious challenge in South Kalimantan. Data shows that the rate of child marriage among 15- to 19-yearolds in this region remains high, even making South Kalimantan one of the provinces with the highest rates in Indonesia. One of the main ideas that emerged was the importance of a large-scale social media campaign. Creative content such as educational videos, digital flyers, and short video contests is considered effective for raising awareness, not only among teenagers but also among parents. A discussion regarding "Kawin Anum" (Anum Marriage) that includes various government agencies and youth organizations. (photo: BiWK) In response to this situation, BASAibu WikiKalimantan organized Public Policy Dialogue #1 as an equal forum for youth and government. This event is part of the Public Participation Wikithon #5 series, which previously successfully gathered hundreds of ideas from students regarding the prevention of child marriage. The Program Coordinator for BASAibu WikiKalimantan emphasized that this dialogue aims to ensure that young people’s voices do not remain mere talk, but can be translated into concrete action through cross-sectoral collaboration. This participatory approach is expected to yield more relevant and sustainable solutions. The dialogue, held in Banjarbaru, brought together various stakeholders, ranging from government institutions and officials to youth communities. In this forum, the best ideas from Wikithon participants were discussed to be translated into concrete steps that can be implemented collaboratively.. Local governments have also welcomed this initiative, given that the issue of underage marriage is closely linked to various other issues such as health, education, and poverty. Therefore, the active involvement of young people is considered a key factor in prevention efforts. Through this dialogue, BASAibu Wiki-Kalimantan emphasizes that preventing child marriage is not only the government’s responsibility, but also a collective effort that involves young people as key agents of change. 8 Participants actively engaged in the BiWK Dialogue on "Kawin Anum" (Anum Marriage) conducted at the South Kalimantan Provincial BPMP in Banjarbaru. (photo: BiWK)
Mitigate Child Marriage in South Kalimantan The BiWK dialogue regarding the "Kawin Anum" issue produced several solutions that will be executed in collaboration. (photo: BiWK) Attempts to reduce child marriage rates in South Kalimantan continue to be driven by approaches that are more responsive to the current situation. One such effort is a digital campaign designed by BASAibu Wiki-Kalimantan as part of a youth-led public education movement. This campaign was designed in response to the high rate of child marriage, which is influenced by various factors such as social and economic pressures, as well as a lack of access to accurate information for teenagers. Through digital platforms, educational messages are expected to reach a greater audience, particularly the younger generation who are familiar with social media. Signing of a commitment to supervise the implementation of the "Kawin Anum" (Anum Marriage) initiative. (photo: BiWK) In its design, this campaign not only prioritized the dissemination of information but also highlighted the importance of creative content. The materials included visuals, videos, and narratives pertinent to the daily lives of teenagers, ensuring that prevention messages were conveyed with greater relevance and without condescension. This initiative is also part of a series of public engagement activities that have previously involved young people in formulating solutions to the issue of child marriage. Thus, the digital campaign serves not only as a platform for raising awareness but also as a concrete implementation of ideas born from the voices of young people themselves. Through this approach, BASAibu Wiki-Kalimantan hopes to raise collective awareness among the public—especially among teenagers. The digital campaign is expected to serve as an effective educational bridge, while simultaneously strengthening the movement to prevent child marriage in a sustainable way. (BIWK)
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