Baznas and UNFPA Open Collaboration to Prevent Social Risks in Pesantren

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The National Amil Zakat Agency (Baznas) of the Republic of Indonesia, together with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), opened opportunities for collaboration on a programme to prevent social risks within pesantren communities, aimed at building a healthy, well‑behaved generation, safeguarded from violence and promiscuity.

The discussions took place in a meeting between Baznas RI and UNFPA at the Baznas RI Headquarters in Jakarta on 18 May 2026. One focus of the collaboration discussed is the Adolescent Reproductive Health Education (PKRR) programme, which will be adapted to Indonesian religious and cultural values.

“We consider this very important, because part of reproductive health is preventing violence, how to embed local cultural values within the process. And it is also about preventing promiscuity, building a family that, in religious terms, is a sakinah family,” said Baznas RI Chair Sodik Mudjahid in Jakarta on Thursday.

According to him, reproductive health education becomes a preventive step in reducing the risk of sexual violence and various social problems among adolescents.

In addition to targeting adolescent education in pesantren and madrasah, the collaboration is also aimed at supporting efforts to reduce maternal and infant mortality in communities with limited means.

Baznas commits to supporting the programme through the utilisation of zakat funds to ensure impoverished groups have access to adequate health protection during childbirth.

Meanwhile, UNFPA Assistant Representative Verania Andria expressed readiness to collaborate in providing health education for the younger generation.

“We are happy to work with Baznas to provide adolescent reproductive health education that will be implemented in accordance with religious values, Indonesian cultural values, and the applicable regulations,” she said.