Cultural change and cultural continuity: Addressing unsafe male circumcision rituals in Indonesia

1. Cultural change and cultural continuity: Addressing unsafe male circumcision rituals in Indonesia Primus Lake Wahdini Hakim

2. Indonesia - Plan’s working area

3. Site of the project Kupang district in East Nusa Tenggara province, where the project is carried out

4. Atoni Meto people of East Nusa Tenggara • Low education • Dry-land agriculturalists • Predominantly Christians • Atoni Meto - the majority • Strong indigenous culture: Male circumcision

5. Atoni Meto and male circumcision ritual: SIFON • SIFON: sexual intercourse post circumcision before the circumcision wound is cured • To heal the wound, strengthen the penis, prevent sexual dysfunction • Increase vulnerability to STDs and HIV infection • Public health, gender and human rights issue

6. The project • Plan and YABIM foundation • To promote circumcision using sterile tools • In 33 villages of Kupang district

7. Project description • Training on sterile circumcision procedures • Continue group circumcisions • Social events to discuss traditional practice Circumcision working group in every village Principles of healthy circumcision: Hygiene, sterilized tools, appropriate treatment, NO SIFON

8. The Project • 320 key stakeholders participated in project development • 98% traditional practitioners attended training Unexpected result • Circumcision for children under 16 is now practiced

9. Sifon was still practiced although they were aware of the negative impacts BECAUSE they believe thatcircumcision without sifon will cause sexual dysfunction The challenge remains…

10. Another series of consultations with village working groups Cultural ceremony of Tafeka no’e Praying ceremony ABANDON OF SIFON

11. Tafeka No’e ceremony

12. Lessons learned • To maintain the leading role of the community members is important • Take the time to understand the cultural dynamics behind a traditional practice • The synergy of a cultural and religious practice - a powerful mechanism • A way to change lies on both “finding alternative ways to achieve common objectives” and “understanding of the negative impacts”

13. Lessons learned • Young people can be involved and contribute positively in decision making process on a cultural change, the role which usually only played by senior traditional members of the community