Through a number of films, public awareness is pushed ahead over the risks and harms of child marriage. Audiovisual production helps open eyes to the need to provide a better future for children.
By
ISMAIL ZAKARIA/SONYA HELLEN SINOMBOR
·4 minutes read
KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA
One of the scenes of the Salaq Kejarian film by Imam Pratama on Youtube as seen on Monday (19/4/2021).
Siti was still in her first year of senior high school in North Lombok regency, West Nusa Tenggara, when she married Wira, her senior in school. Wira was self-motivated to prove to his friends that he was truly up to the “win Siti’s heart” challenge.
A few months into their young marriage, Siti became pregnant. With Wira still not working, Siti tries to provide economic support for the household by doing the clothes washing work in the neighborhood.
In the meantime, Wira was beginning to change his attitude toward Siti. He physically abused Siti, whose pregnancy had progressed.
Wira fell into a criminal ring of motorbike thieves and spent time with other women.
Fast forward, Siti gave birth without the companionship of her husband. Wira disappeared and never came home.
It was the plot of a TV film titled “Salaq Kejarian” by director Imam Pratama, with Krismonita Deriseptian playing as Siti and Ali Akbar as Wira.
TANGKAPAN LAYAR YOUTUBE
Screenshot of Suara Kirana\'s film footage on the Youtube channel.
The Pratama Pictures’ production was initiated by North Lombok’s Social, Women Empowerment and Child Protection agency.
The 45-minute long film , in the Sasak language, can be watched on YouTube or accessed through filmlombok.com. Since its premiere on May 20 2017, the film, which was shot in North Lombok, has drawn almost 200.000 viewers.
“Film is not the only means [we rely on]. But at least we try. That’s important,” Imam said.
A former teacher at Kayangan state junior high school SMP 3, Imam was concerned about school dropouts and child marriage.
Film is not the only means [we rely on]. But at least we try. That’s important.
He said the film was produced as part of an effort to help tackle the issues.
Upon going back to the school as a guest teacher, he learned one his student already had a child.
Other films
“Salaq Kejarian” is among several TV films to take the theme of child marriage in Lombok, produced independently or with support from local government and institutions.
In 2018, the Youth Care Forum for Marriage Maturity of Kekait village, Gunung Sari, West Lombok, under the guidance of the Tunas Alam Indonesia Foundation (Santai) and supported by Oxfam, produced “Masak Odaq” or young matured, directed by Rizal Ceper.
The plot centers on the marriage of Jamilah (16), a first-grade senior high school student, with Ismail (28). Still being a child, Jamilah is often abused by her mother-in-law and beaten up by her husband who appears to be a member of a human trafficking network.
KOMPAS/ISMAIL ZAKARIA
A scene from Rahwadi\'s Merariq Kodeq film on the Youtube channel as seen on Monday (19/4/2021).
In Central Lombok, there is also “Merariq Kodeq” or "early marriage" by local young director Rahwadi.
The short duration film produced by Pinaqfilms Community and supported by the Gugah Nurani Indonesia institution, tells about Amiruddin and Ika becoming bride and bridegroom when both are still in senior high school.
"Through this film, I want to bring up the (negative) impact of dropping out of school and choosing to marry young," Rahwadin said.
We hope teenagers all over Indonesia see this film and grab the message that child marriage will harm them in the future.
The public is also provided with a story about a girl, named Kirana, having her dreams foundered because of child marriage, as told in “Suara Kirana” produced in 2019 by the Plan International Indonesia Foundation. The film stars Laras Sardi, Jourdy Pranata and Dhea Seto.
"We hope teenagers all over Indonesia see this film and grab the message that child marriage will harm them in the future," film producer Evi Cecilia said.
A story about unwanted pregnancy and child marriage can be seen in “Sari”, released by Wahana Visi Indonesia during the 2018 Campaign for the Elimination of Violence against Children.
The story sees junior high school student Sari performing well in class but has to quit school abruptly and marries her boyfriend because she falls pregnant.
All those films have raised concerns about child marriage and hopes for its prevention.
/https%3A%2F%2Fkompas.id%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F04%2FIMG_20210419_174015_1618826628.jpg){kind=logo}
/https%3A%2F%2Fkompas.id%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2021%2F04%2FIMG_20210419_174250_1618826530.jpg){kind=logo}
