2020
Faye Simanjuntak
- Age: 21
- | She/her/hers
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Facilitating youth engagement is a crucial step towards sustainable change, as youths can fundamentally shape the future. Don't be the voice for the voiceless — that is complicity in the voicelessness. Be a platform, a spotlight, and a partner. Let's work hand in hand to change the world for the better!
- Faye Simanjuntak
Bio
Faye Simanjuntak is the co-founder of Rumah Faye, a non-profit that works to eradicate child sexual abuse, trafficking, and exploitation in Indonesia through three programs – prevention, rescue, and rehabilitation. Rumah Faye runs several prevention and training programs, along with a safe house in Batam that has assisted in the recovery of 170 girls and 9 babies between September 2016 and May 2022. The work of Rumah Faye crucially places youths at the center of anti-trafficking initiatives, so that the change that is facilitated has both depth and sustainability.
On occasion, Faye independently consults for nonprofits and government agencies on youth participation, grassroots development, children’s rights, and reproductive health education. She has been involved in shaping policy surrounding children’s rights, training child-facing law enforcement officials, as well as the eradication of virginity tests in the Indonesian Army. Faye is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree at Georgetown University.
What ignited your pursuit for gender equality?
A friend told me that a family member was molesting her. She hadn't known what to do until our peer-to-peer discussion groups. That's when I realized the role youths had in facilitating change. How she's grown since is what drives me to keep fighting.
Please share your biggest wins as an advocate for gender equality.
Operating a full-time safe house in Batam, Kepulauan Riau for survivors of trafficking, providing services such as legal aid, health facilities, and financial assistance. Additionally, being part of the campaign that ended in the successful eradication of "virginity tests" in the Indonesian military.
Outside of your gender equality advocacy work, what do you enjoy doing?
Reading, scuba diving, lifting, and hanging out with friends!
Languages Spoken:
- Bahasa Indonesia (Advanced/Native)
- English (Advanced/Native)
- Indonesian Sign Language (Elementary)
- English (Advanced/Native)
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