Sex Education Ban, Violence to Youth’s Rights

Nowadays, education about health reproduction especially for youth is an urgent matter and need support and participation from many aspects. Whether support and participation from educator such as teacher or parents, from mass media such as magazine, newspaper, radio, television, internet, but also the most important that have to be involved here are youth itself. Youth need to be aware about what had happened at least to themselves first, then to others. This is of great importance because the youth nowadays have greater challenges to face than before. In order to survive in this fast changing world, they have to take up the challenge wisely and boldly.

The influences of foreign culture and information which is readily accessible, especially through internet, could be of pro’s and cons, and the same thing goes to technology which has improved so fast and gives a lot of advantages for us such as mobility, communication and health that gives both positive and negative implications. Used wisely, these facilities can give positive impact to people’s life and nevertheless negative impact if people do not use it appropriately. For example, many years ago, youth communicate with each other using the snail mail and this consumes a lot of time, compared to youth nowadays, whereby communication with each other is simply done via phone or short text messages and this just need few seconds. However, this development in technology also gives negative effect, for example when people use this device to record and save implicit sexual activities such as kissing and others. These cases have been on the rise lately.

Why youth?

Because adolescent phase is started with a term of puberty. Puberty means a phase of rapid change in physic, psychological, social interaction and the maturation of sexual function in which sexual organs begin to take the role as a reproductive organ. Puberty starts when the body begins to produce high levels of sexual hormone to make the reproductive organs function accordingly with growth and development of a person’s body. One of the sexual hormones that influences the maturation of female reproductive organ is estrogen, whereas the testosterone hormone influences the maturation of male reproductive organ.

A person is classified as a youth if he/she is not married, whether female or male and there are many references that classifies youth based on age. WHO classifies the youth if his/her age is between 12-24 years old whereas the Indonesian Health Department’s criteria is from the age of 10 to 19 years. The Badan Kekeluargaan Keluarga Berencana Nasional(BKKBN) defines youth as someone from 10 to 21 years old and the Youth Manifesto considers anyone from 10 to 24 years old as a youth. However the most commonly used criteria (which is also used by KISARA) is from the Youth Manifesto. This age range is a precise age limit to describe a phase of transition from childhood to adulthood, and also can be called as a phase of confusion, in which a youth is in the process of identifying themselves and many are unable to decide on which is right or wrong. And in this vulnerable phase, surroundings are often not supportive towards the development of the youth. This happens because many are still with the opinion that youth are not old enough to know about their body especially in sex education. There are many limitations for the youth in getting information regarding sex. People belief that these are only adult’s talk and are a taboo for teenagers. The saddest part is when a youth wants to know and asks about sex, people judge them as being naughty and mischievous. This surely makes the youth reluctant to know about their body. Thus how can they take care of their body if they don’t know much about the changes in their body. But being a youth who is curious and wanting a challenge, they will not give up easily and always try to get information they needed by their own way. To obtain the necessary information, the do so by asking their “reliable references”. “Reliable references” here means their friends of the same age. This is because they feel most comfortable sharing their personal life to their friends. Another way is find out from mass media (especially the internet that can provide wrong information if not used wisely), and some even learn through their own experiences that with those experiences they make a theory that they are not sure off.

Very few know that they have Rights in Sexual and Reproduction. There are five Rights in Sexual and Reproduction. One of them is Rights to know about the process, the changes that happen in reproductive organ. This is actually a power for the youth to expand their knowledge without fear or shame in getting information. And if everyone (educator, mass media, government, youth itself) realize this and support each other by carrying out their role, certainly the youth can enjoy and exercise their rights, and also together with them everybody would benefit from this. Besides right to know, there is Right to be themselves whether by making their own decision, in expressing themselves and feeling safe. Other rights include Right to protect and to be protected from unexpected pregnancy, unsafe abortion, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS; Right to get proper health services which are of good quality and which is people- friendly; Right to participate in planning, organizing, monitoring, evaluating youth programs and influence the government in making regulations about youth.
Based on a survey from KISARA (KISARA is a Non-Governmental Organization that concerns in youth problems) on July 2007 with 1412 respondent in the age range of 15-17 years old in six regencies in Bali ( Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan, Bangli, and Klungkung ), it is known that only 28% of youths know the definition of ‘sex’. This indicates the lack of information owned by the youth about sex education. It also showed that only 64% of youth know the definition of AIDS whereas only 68% knows the definition of HIV and only 35% knows the precise risks that can transmit HIV.

From the survey we also got to know on how the youth obtain their sex education. Mostly are from friends that accounts for 95%, then from internet which is 62%. It is also known that 95% consider that the best person to convey this information on sex education is their teachers. From this fact, it will be very helpful if the right information is given by their peers (in correlation with KISARA’s vision that is to produce a responsible youth through a peer approach, from, by and to the youth). But it gives detrimental effects if peers make way for myth and wrongful information.

Although these results of survey with close-ended question can not be used to describe the actual condition that is occurring to the youth population in Bali, because it is not based on right research methodology due to the limitation in logistic, but it is enough to tell us and make us realize and be aware off the current situations involving the youth. And still there are others result from the KISARA survey that needs urgent attention from all of us. About 8,6% youth have had sexual intercourse before marriage. This is further amplified by the results of a research from Persatuan Keluarga Berencana Indonesia (PKBI) whereby it is known that about 15% from the youths in Indonesia (which accounts to about 62 million people) have had sexual intercourse before marriage.
And the data from the Indonesian Health Department shows that every year about 700.000 abortion involve the youth or about 30% from total of the two million cases that are mostly done illegally by doctor (unsafe abortion). PKBI research about abortion in nine towns in Indonesia shows that from 37.685 respondent , 27% abortionist have not married and usually have tried to abort by themselves by drinking medicinal herbs but failed.

Looking at the facts and figures we cannot entirely blame the youth. This is because each and everybody in this country hold an important role in the establishment of youth. And we have to open our eyes widely and pay full attention to problems affecting youth because they are the next generation to participate in the development of this country. And sex education is no longer a taboo and it is a necessity to be given immediately to the youth.
It is hoped that the Rights of Sexual and Reproductive is used wisely as a weapon to protect and educate the youth and others. Often, youth tend to accept all the unjustified treatments given to them without realizing that they have been a victim of the situation. Information and knowledge that should have been obtained freely, easily and with accuracy is halted due to these problems. So one advice from a youth to another youth all there would be, Go youth! Get your right for information now without hesitation and be a hero to yourself.

taken from:www.kisara.org

Towards the Imlek, Residential Hotel in Bali increased

Visit the domestic and foreign tourists to the island of Bali increased the New Year Imlek. Level residential hotel in Ubud area increased to 70 percent. Pengunjuk world's most Taiwan and China.

Jasmine variety of accommodation to five-star hotel bertarif U.S. $ 450 to U.S. $ 2,000 per night is filled with domestic and foreign tourists. However, the number of tourists who come more quiet compared to the year yesterday.

In the area of Kuta, the hotel also housing hikes take effect. Although not hold special events to welcome Imlek, a residential hotel has reached 80 percent. Residential level is estimated to reach 100 percent two days later because the tourists came to Bali.

An Earthly Delight Spa

Opened in February 2008, Rei Wellness (Jl Griya Anyar, Br. Kajeng, Pemogan, Denpasar, T: 0361 847 3320) is not your average spa. Rei means 'universal' and is taken from the Japanese word Reiki. As it is not located in an up-town area, this intimate spa feels like a secluded retreat. Nestled in peaceful neighbourhood surroundings, Rei Wellness is cleverly designed to mimic a traditional Balinese home enclosed within a leafy compound. The four luxurious treatment villas offer privacy and seclusion while retaining the comfort of a home and a sense of being immersed in nature. Each villa features a traditional alang-alang roof, beautiful teak furniture and outdoor living space with open air shower.

The spa menu features signature treatments inspired by Balinese and Asian philosophies of healing, in which techniques are handed down from generation to generation. One of their unique treatments is 'Earthly Delight' – almost five hours of blissful cosseting, employing natural ingredients, local herbs and spices priced at USD 250. Every potion used in Rei treatments is expertly and freshly concocted for each guest and samplers of this epic treatment have the opportunity to be a part of the process. After a refreshing glass of iced hibiscus, guests are escorted to the garden at the rear of the main building, where a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices are chopped, mashed, ground and mixed, while the therapists explain the beneficial properties of each ingredient.

This rejuvenating ritual has been created to ignite the senses and, following the preparation of the treatment ingredients and a light snack, begins with a gentle footbath to pamper one of the most neglected parts of the body. Balinese boreh scrub, body mask, and traditional massage continue the ritual using a combination of long finger strokes and palm pressure to relieve the effects of a modern lifestyle and evoke deep relaxation. Earthly Delight concludes with a refreshing fruit bath and healthy refreshments.

What's Saraswati....?

saraswati day (alongside Galungan) is arguably Bali's most important all-island holy day. The day is dedicated to the goddess of knowledge Saraswati, who is said in local Hindu-Balinese mythology to be the consort of Lord Brahma, the god of creation and the pillar component of the Hindu Trinity

the worship of knowledge From a philosophical point of view, by addressing offerings and prayers to Saraswati, the Balinese endeavour to keep the karma (deeds) of their microcosmic self (Buana Alit) in harmony with the macrocosmic world (Buana Agung), symbolically driven by this same trinity (Trimurti), which comprises, beside Brahma, the symbol of creation and origin, Wisnu, the symbol of balance and prosperity and Siwa, symbol of destruction and regeneration.

The Goddess Saraswati has a classical iconographic representation, with attributes that relate to various aspects of her function. The rosary (ganitri) refers to the inexhaustible nature of knowledge. The rebab stringed instrument symbolises music and the lontar manuscript literature. The swan, Saraswati's vehicle, symbolises the ability of knowledge to feed itself within the mud. The lotus, on which Saraswati stands, is a symbol of the world.

Knowledge however, in a Balinese context, is not constructed as issuing from the individual's encounter with the tangible world, as in the Western anthropocentric conception, but as issuing from the intangible world (niskala). It builds up and creatively accumulates less as individual ‘inspiration' than as un-worldly ‘revelation', called taksu, which takes possession of the self through the intermediary of special taksu shrine found in each family compound.

Yet taksu, and related sacred knowledge (aji) are unequally distributed, and to gain access to beneficial forces from the intangible world, the Balinese commonly use the services of specialists: the balians (witch-doctors) or the priestly brahmanas (brahmins). They visit the former to ask for herbs or communicate with ancestors; recovery is then thought to be engineered and literally ‘brought down' from the intangible niskala world through the balian's entreaties – the balian may for example identify in a trance the lost ancestral soul (atma kesasar) that is the cause of woes and illnesses, which will have to be appeased in a ceremony. As for the brahmanas, the Balinese visit them at their gria to request holy waters, propitious days for an upcoming ceremony or magic formulas and drawings, usually from a high priest (pedanda).

On Saraswati day it is the duty of all Balinese to pay their respect to their sources of knowledge. They usually begin with offerings to the shrines and sacred cabinets in which are kept the family lontar manuscripts. Noticeable among the offerings presented are two small rice effigies of cecak lizards. These lizards, which are said to be able to talk and hear people talking, are symbols of the goddess of knowledge herself. Following this in-house ceremony, they go and visit, with a set of offerings, all those parties whom they believe have endowed them with the benefits of their power and learning, especially the gria brahmins and the balian native-healers. During the whole day, no one may read or consult manuscripts.

THE MEANING OF SARASWATI DAY
Saraswati falls on the last day of the Balinese calendar. To understand this, we have to go back to the myth of origin of the 210-day Wuku calendar presented in the November issue of this magazine. It was then explained that the thirty seven-day week calendar was set up by the gods after they had defeated the incestuous Watugunung, who had inadvertently made love to his mother while engaged in the conquest of the world. During this conquest, Watugunung had vanquished thirty rulers, twenty-eight kings and two queens (his mother and step-mother). After his defeat and subsequent enlightenment, the gods not only made him master of the calendar, but they gave his name to its last week. To the other rulers –Watugunung's vassals - were attributed the other weeks, with his mother occupying the first one and his step-mother the second.

The calendar enacts the myth of Watugunung and the prohibition of incest, which is enshrined in the fact that the incestuous son occupies the last week of the calendar and his incestuous mother the first week of the next calendar cycle. But the enaction of the prohibition of incest goes beyond the week system. Each of the days of the whole Watugunung week, until Saraswati day, and the first four days of the Sinta week of the new cycle, up to Pagerwesi day, in fact enact Watugunung's path from battle and defeat at the hand of the gods to enlightenment and apotheosis (on Saraswati day) and then to cleansing of the world (on Banyu Pinaruh day) and subsequent restoration of cosmic order (on Pagerwesi day). During these eleven days Bali is considered impure and sexual intercourse is accordingly prohibited.

There is no clear indication on the calendar about when Watugunung performed his incest. But we can guess that it occurred during Dukut week, consecrated to ‘herbs' (dukut meaning herb), after the Wayang and Klawu weeks, which were respectively under the protection of the goddess of rice Sri and her consort the god of wealth Sedana – both indicators of prosperity. What is clear, however, is the process of punition, enlightenment and cleansing which begin with the Watugunung week to finish with Pagerwesi day eleven days later.

Watugunung's story of enlightenment is also one of subjection to the godly. From transgressor of the gods' cosmic order, Watugunung becomes the gods' instrument of order: made the master of the calendar, he becomes the enforcer of rites and religion. His enlightenment is a godly apotheosis. Not only is incest definitively forbidden, but its prohibition is enshrined in the calendar by the separation, through Saraswati, of incestuous son from incestuous mother. Watugunung thus embodies Man's submission to religion.

Unavoidably, a comparison can be made with Oedipus, the incestuous Greek hero. When fate befalls him and he becomes aware of his incestuous love toward his mother, it is not order that prevails, but destruction. Oedipus ends up blinding himself and going about the world while cursing the gods.

The hero of the East (Bali) thus submits to the godly order, while the hero of the West curses the gods and stands out all alone against meaningless fate.

Wet season surfing

Wet season Bali is a treasure trove of right hander delights tucked away in lesser visited beaches lining the east coast of the island. You can forget the west coast in the deepest and darkest months of the Bali surfing calendar: the water is a mess, the winds onshore and the beaches strewn with all manner of flotsam and jetsam. One multinational has taken up the challenge of keeping the west coast sands groomed for the start of the next dry season whilst the rest of the surfing community collectively turns its attention to the eastern shores. Welcome to wet season waveriding in Bali

Perhaps you’ve noticed as you stroll along the beach or down one of the many small roads that wind and twist around the towns of Kuta, Sanur, and Jimbaran, the prevalence of the ubiquitous red and white Coca-Cola logo on everything from umbrellas to coolers to… even surfboards? Yes it‘s true, Coca-Cola is into surfing! With a history of supporting surfing in Australia, it’s a natural fit for Bali and provides a perfect solution for the answer to the question "how can we make, and then keep, Bali and its beaches clean and beautiful?" Using the sport of surfing as an entry point provides an exciting and healthy way to send the message that Coca-Cola cares about the community and the country that they are selling their products to.

Having clean water and rubbish free beaches, together with the already awesome waves that consistently bless Bali’s shoreline, creates an insurance policy for sustainable economic conditions, which in turn benefits the local community, the nation, and the millions of tourists and surfers who enjoy coming to Bali each year. The reality is that the condition of the beaches of Bali must meet the expectations set by the tourism advertising and promotional sector, or soon the word will spread and the arrival numbers will be on the decrease. Nowadays, large multinational corporations should have at least some level of support for their local community, and thankfully Coca-Cola is no exception. Here in Indonesia, specifically with Coca-Cola Bottling Indonesia (CCBI), this takes the form of what CCBI calls their ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ strategy.

Simply put, CCBI looks around to find worthy programs that need support and partner with their work to achieve their goals. In the words of CCBI’s Bruce Waterfield, "there are areas where CCBI has lots of experience, such as creating a fun atmosphere and being innovative with products and product promotions.

But there are other activities in the community that need support from commercial businesses like ours in order to enable them to be successful, activities that improve the quality of life for the community and provide a healthy and safe environment. CCBI are not the experts in delivering these services so we partner with the people who are, such as GUS, Reef Check, ROLE, CARE, and the East Bali Poverty Project. With financial and infrastructure support, these groups are then able to realize their plans for the good of all".

Another example is of course the Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour (ISC), where the support of the CCBI allows the ISC to develop the sport of professional surfing in Indonesia, providing both the surfers and the surf industry with greater opportunities. CCBI is also partnering with the surf brand Quiksilver to provide beach cleaning machinery that will keep the beaches of Bali rubbish free, starting with Kuta Beach early next year, in addition to supporting Bali’s Lifeguard Association to make sure that both the locals and tourists are safe when in the water and on the beach. They also have an educational program where a truck goes around to schools taking national/local sports figures such as ISC CEO Tipi Jabrik to deliver health and environmental messages to the kids.

So what is Coke for Bali? In a nutshell, it is a partnership program between Coca-Cola and a variety of non-profit and for profit organisations that share the same goals: to preserve and to protect Bali, its people and its guests, so all can enjoy this unique and special island paradise. Good things take time and whilst it’s a step in the right direction for Coca Cola to be spearheading the drive to clean the beaches of Bali, in the short term what can we do in the wet season to avoid the rubbish - strewn onshore mess that is the west coast? The best tactic is to head east, over to Nusa Dua and up to Keramas on the northeast and pretty much any break in between where the winds are offshore and the crowds are minimal in comparison to peak season Uluwatu and the west coast lefts.

After the pleasantly cool evenings and howling offshore tradewinds of the dry season have faded into the overpoweringly humid and oftimes smelly onshore winds of the rainy season on the western side of Bali, some find it difficult to summon the motivation to get out and search for waves, the memories of those long sunny sessions on the Bukit still warm in their memories. However for others - the dark clouds, thunder, and the sound of the big raindrops coming down is their green light, their signal that it‘s time to go get some of those green and sometimes chocolate coloured rainy season waves.

The Bali locals, long-term residents, and the frequent visiting surfers of the island know that in between these rainy periods, which never last very long anyways, there are waves-a-plenty on both sides of the island, with just a fraction of the crowds that pack the popular spots in busy tourist season.

Well-known spots like Canggu, Balian, and Medewi on the West Coast are still good bets in the early hours and even in the late afternoons. Just drive up along the road past Tabanan and keep your eye peeled for an empty wave peeling off the reef or sand bar. You never know what’ll pop up. On the East Coast the mighty waves of Nusa Dua will challenge all but the die hard veterans on its big days, while Serangan (Turtle Island) is host to the most, being easily accessible and surf able on most tides and conditions. Wander up through Sanur to check out the many reef points that can give up some epic waves on their day, with only a local or two out to hoot you into a memorable barrel or cheer your big aerial punt.

And of course there is Keramas, the now world famous black sand beach and lava bottomed right hander that virtually every top pro surfer in the world has been photographed at during the last few years. The big difference in the wet season will be the fact that you can hang out there all day and get more than just a morning session in, courtesy of the winds coming down from the northwest. So if you’re not afraid of getting a little wet on your way to jumping into the water, you’ll have a blast tapping i

Going on Lombok

2008 has seen a million new boutique hotels, resorts and villas start to take shape across the island. From the cliffs of Uluwatu to the hills of central Bali the construction rigs have been grinding non-stop throughout the year. Even the precarious state of the global economy has failed to deter the international investors from depositing huge sums of money into the 21st century refurb revolution that Bali has become. Many of these new developments are hard to separate from each other in terms of architecture and concept so it takes something really unique to capture our attentions in this era of trite minimalist conformity. Tugu Lombok (Sire Beach, T: 0370 620 111) has delivered the goods on all fronts with the opening in August of their latest retro-inspired creation, drawing inspiration from the Dutch colonial period in the late 19th century.

Beautifully set beautifully on the sandy shores of Sire Beach, west Lombok and literally a stone's throw from the Gili Islands, Tugu Lombok is a luxurious retreat retelling The Negarakertagama manuscript of ancient Hindu rites from the Majapahit Kingdom coupled with the romance of the Mahabharata period. As with all Tugu properties in Indonesia, the attention to detail in the restoration of authentic antiquities, preservation of Indonesian heritage and commitment to originality at any cost secures a special place in our hearts. An enrapturing experience and quite unlike anything you will have experienced before.

Upcoming on january......

russian christmas events
6 th Jan
To celebrate this special day, the Grand Hyatt Bali (Nusa Dua, T: 0361 771 234) has created an authentic Orthodox Christmas buffet, featuring such traditional dishes as Borscht, Baked Salmon Coulibiac and Beef Stroganoff, to name just a few.

Intercontinental Bali (Jl. Uluwatu, T: 0361 701 888) invites guests to join their Russian Christmas Dinner featuring a sumptuous European buffet at Taman Gita Terrace. After dinner, everyone is invited to continue the celebration into the early hours at Monkey Forest Fun Pub in the resort grounds with welcome cocktails and live music.

The Westin (Nusa Dua, T: 0361 771 906) is holding a tropical dinner party at the poolside with a sumptuous buffet including a selection of Russian dishes.

7 th Jan
Karma Kandara (Jl. Wijaya Kusuma Ungasan, T: 0361 848 2200) will be staging their 'Russian Christmas Celebration Night'. An indulgent night of vodka, caviar, Russian folk songs and DJ Soma spinning musical nirvana at Nammos Beach Club from 6pm.


chinese new year events
26 th Jan

Celebrate Chinese New Year with a grand buffet and dim sum banquet with Chinese and Asian family favourites, BBQ specialties, and lavish desserts at SUKU Conrad Bali (Jl. Pratama, T: 0361 778 788).

Kayu Manis offers guests a special Chinese New Year package at Kayu Manis Ubud (Jl Sayan, T: 0361 972 777). Book into a private villa (USD 750++) or deluxe private villa (USD 925++) for the night and enjoy a complimentary private candlelit dinner in your villa plus a two hour spa treatment.


1st – 30 th Jan
Tony Raka Art Gallery (Jl. Raya Mas Ubud, T: 0361 781 6785) invites visitors to enter the presence of Sanggar  Dewata Indonesia (SDI), one of the biggest groups of artists in Indonesia, for their latest visual art exhibition throughout January.

1st – 13 th Jan
An exhibition titled 'Post Ethnology Museum' by Heri Dono is being held at Gaya Art Space (Jl. Raya Sayan Ubud, t: 0361 979 252). In this exhibition, Dono re-constructs the roles of the museum, and the concept of ethnology.

1st – 12 th Jan
Ganesha gallery (Four Seasons Jimbaran, T: 0361 701 010) is hosting Davina Stephens' latest exhibition 'This Side of Paradise'. She explores the mythological and magical themes of Dewi Sri, the goddess of rice, the moon, and the classical Greek and Roman earth goddesses, Gaia and Demeter.

1st – 15 th Jan
Maya Ubud Resort & Spa (Peliatan Ubud, T: 0361 977 888) will feature a Batik Exhibition titled 'Art for Life' by Tjok Agung Kusumayuda Pemayun and W Gallery. More than twenty batik artworks will be displayed in the lobby area and boutique.

23 th Jan
Friday night is for jazz lovers in Sanur as The Village Restaurant & Lounge (Jl. D. Tamblingan Sanur, T: 0361 285 025) serves a delicious selection of authentic Italian home cooking, seductive cocktails and live jazz in the al fresco dining area.