The International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development (INFID)1 has initiated a program on Promoting a Reintegration Mechanism in the Handling and Facilitation of Women and Children Deportees and Returnees who are Victims of Radicalism in the cities of Bandung and Surabaya. The program, which started in late June 2020 and ends in May 2021, comprises of four stages. The first stage involves a mapping research on the Handling and Facilitation of Women and Children Deportees and Returnees. The second stage focuses on developing a Guide to the Handling and Facilitation of Women and Children Deportees and Returnees Exposed to Radical Terrorist Ideologies. In the third stage, training is provided to key stakeholders (government, civil society organizations, and faith-based organizations), while the final stage concentrates on preparing a policy brief..
One of the recommendations put forward by the needs mapping exercise is the importance of solid cooperation between the government, civil society organizations, and faith-based organizations in the handling and facilitation of women and children deportees and returnees in West Java and East Java. INFID sees the urgency of the government and community to be adequately prepared in dealing with women and children deportees and returnees, and in facilitating their reintegration in order to minimize possible adverse consequences. With this in mind, INFID has taken the initiative to develop a Guide on the Handling and Facilitation of Women and Children Deportees and Returnees Exposed to Radical Terrorist Ideologies in the cities of Bandung and Surabaya, intended for local government, civil society organizations, and faith-based organizations.
The guide is designed to help key stakeholders, including civil society organizations, local government agencies, and faith-based organizations, build their technical capacity in addressing the weaknesses and limitations of existing deradicalization programs. It is also intended to make sure that the government remains on guard and cautious in dealing with deportees and returnees, while at the same time giving them a second chance to prove themselves as worthy, law-abiding citizens, loyal to Indonesia’s Pancasila state ideology and Constitution.
INFID is deeply indebted to Mira Kusumarini for putting the guide together, and to Any Rufaidah for enriching it with a distinct focus on the handling and facilitation of WOMEN and CHILDREN deportees and returnees. A word of appreciation also goes to Harmoni for fully supporting the program. INFID gratefully acknowledges the West Java and East Java chapters of Nahdlatul Ulama’s Fatayat Regional Board for their willingness to be program partners, and many others who have either directly or indirectly contributed to the completion of the guidebook.
It is hoped that the guide will serve as a valuable source of reference to local government, civil society organizations, and faith-based organizations in managing women and children deportees and returnees exposed to radical terrorist ideologies and in facilitating their social reintegration. Not only will this lead to an integrated and comprehensive delivery of services, but also to its replication in other regions across Indonesia.
Jakarta, 30 November 2020
Sugeng Bahagijo Executive Director
