UNSRI Empowers the Youth Organization to Strengthen Reproductive Health Preparedness During Disasters in Sukamenang Village

Sriwijaya University (UNSRI) is conducting a Community Service (PkM) program through the 2026 Community-Based Empowerment Scheme in Sukamenang Village, Gelumbang Subdistrict, Muara Enim Regency, South Sumatra. The program, which runs from July through September 2026, focuses on the theme “Optimizing the Role of the Youth Organization in Reproductive Health Preparedness During Disasters in Sukamenang Village.”

The program was prompted by the increasing risk of reproductive health issues during disasters, particularly for vulnerable groups such as women of reproductive age, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, adolescents, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Therefore, this activity focuses on strengthening the capacity of the Sukamenang Village Dinamika Youth Organization so that it can serve as an agent for education and the dissemination of reproductive health information during emergencies.

The activity was led by Rini Anggraini, S.K.M., M.P.H., along with team members Widya Lionita, S.K.M., M.P.H., and Zesi Aprillia, S.Kep., Ns., M.Kep., Sp.Kep.An. from Sriwijaya University. The implementation was also supported by Yuni Erlinda, S.Gz., M.Gz., as well as students and alumni of the UNSRI Faculty of Public Health. The entire program series was funded by the Directorate of Research and Community Service (DPPM), Directorate General of Research and Development, Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology through the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.

Empowerment was achieved through education, training, simulations, the use of educational technology, mentoring, and evaluation. The material covered included a basic understanding of reproductive health and its relationship to disaster situations, the risk of gender-based violence, efforts to prevent reproductive health issues during emergencies, and the role of youth in building community preparedness.

To support the learning process, the team introduced several educational resources, including a video on the basic concepts of reproductive health and disasters, the “Reproductive Health During Disasters: Dos and Don’ts” Cards, and the “Disaster Preparedness Kit Education Cards.” These materials were designed to be practical, easy to understand, and reusable by Karang Taruna members when conveying information to the community.

The educational cards were used in an interactive manner to help participants understand appropriate actions and the health needs of vulnerable groups in emergency situations. The target groups of focus included women of reproductive age (15–49 years), including adolescent girls and married women, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

In addition to in-person education, members of the Dinamika Youth Organization also received training on creating digital Communication, Information, and Education (CIE) materials via Instagram. They participated in simulations of emergency information dissemination and role-playing exercises on handling victims of sexual violence during disasters.

Evaluation results showed an increase in the average knowledge scores of Karang Taruna members after participating in the series of activities. In addition, members of Karang Taruna Dinamika began distributing the “Reproductive Health During Disasters: Dos and Don’ts” card to groups of women of reproductive age in Sukamenang Village. This implementation serves as one example of youth engagement as educators on reproductive health preparedness within the community.

This program also supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being and SDG 5 on Gender Equality. This support is realized through improving knowledge of reproductive health and strengthening the protection of vulnerable groups—particularly women—when facing disaster situations.

The UNSRI team expressed its appreciation to the Sukamenang Village Dinamika Youth Organization, Youth Organization Chair Hafiz Zahir, Sukamenang Village Head Ahmad Redi, S.Pd., NL.P, Village Secretary M. Syarif Hidayatullah, village officials, and the community for their support in carrying out the activities.

Through this program, Sriwijaya University seeks to strengthen the capacity of village communities to address reproductive health risks during disasters by involving youth as part of community education and preparedness efforts.