One Hundred Bogor Teenagers Attend Pre-Marital School Graduation Ceremony, IPB University and Bogor Regency Government Prevent Child Marriage
The Center for Gender and Child Studies (PKGA) at IPB University, in collaboration with the Bogor Regency Office of Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control, and Family Planning (DP3AP2KB), held the 2nd Pre-marital School Graduation Ceremony at the Cibinong Multipurpose Building 1 on Saturday (12/13). This program involved 100 teenagers aged 13-19 from Pondok Rajeg Village, Cibinong District, and Tangkil Village, Caringin District.
The Chairperson of PKGA IPB University, Dr Yulina Eva Riany, emphasized that the high rate of child marriage in Indonesia is a reflection of the failure of child protection. Child marriage is not only a matter of underage marriage. More than that, it is one of the determining indicators of the Human Development Index (HDI).
“Child marriage is significantly related to high rates of stunting, maternal and child morbidity and mortality, low economic quality, and high dropout rates,” she explained.
She added that one of the fundamental problems is the high rate of pregnancy outside of marriage due to low knowledge among adolescents about the risks of promiscuity.
Data from Bogor Regency shows the urgency of such intervention. The Head of DP3AP2KB Bogor Regency, Sussy Rahayu Agustini, said that out of a population of around 5,8 million, there are 1,78 million children under the age of 18. West Java is still the province with the highest absolute number of child marriages nationally.
This second batch of the Pre-Marriage School Program continues the success of the first batch, which was held in February 2025 in Bojong Gede District with 70 participants. During the program in November 2025, participants received eight main topics delivered by 11 speakers from various faculties at IPB University, covering the impact of child marriage, marriage planning, reproductive health, nutrition, financial literacy, and future planning.
Representing the Regent of Bogor, the Regional Secretary of Bogor Regency, Ajat Rochmat Jatnika, called the Pre-marital School an important bulwark for the younger generation.
“Pre-marital education is a strategic step in shaping the character, morals, and mental preparedness of young people to face increasingly complex challenges,” he said.
Meanwhile, Dean of the Faculty of Human Ecology at IPB University, Prof Sofyan Sjaf, emphasized that early marriage has the potential to reduce the quality of human resources.
“This program provides a learning space so that children do not marry too early and are better prepared to plan for their future,” he said.
Participants stated that the program helps them understand that marriage is a major decision requiring mental, educational, and financial readiness. The 2025 Pre-Marriage School is a concrete step in the collaboration between IPB University and the Bogor Regency Government to build a younger generation that is more empowered, character-driven, and protected. (*/Rz)(IAAS/RWA)
