UNFPA Indonesia 289d ago

In this special episode of the BERANI BICARA Podcast, UNFPA Champion Putu Ayu Saraswati sits down with His Excellency Jess Dutton, the Ambassador of Canada to Indonesia. This engaging conversation takes us on a journey from a childhood dream of diplomacy to a career representing Canada around the world. Ambassador Dutton shares his long-standing connection to Indonesia, which began with a backpacking trip in his youth, and discusses his personal commitment to gender equality, inspired by his mother’s experiences. He highlights Canada's role as a loyal partner to UNFPA, specifically through the BERANI program, which focuses on sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights (SRHRR). He explains that the BERANI program helps to empower women and girls to make decisions about their own bodies and futures and helps to eliminate harmful practices like gender-based violence and child marriage. He also notes the significant impact of the BERANI program, including a 1% reduction in the child marriage rate over the past few years. The discussion culminates in a fun "Myth or Fact" game, where Ambassador Dutton and Ayu test their knowledge of both Indonesia and Canada, covering topics from geography to social issues. Don't miss this insightful and enjoyable discussion that underscores the power of international collaboration, the importance of gender equality, and the significant impact of the BERANI program in Indonesia.