Breaking Down Walls of Prejudice: The Story of Putri, an Ashoka Changemaker, Preventing Sexual Violence with PeaceGen's 12 Values of Peace
Amidst the complexities of social issues, Widiawati Putri Latifah, a young woman from Bandung and a graduate of PeaceSantren Welas Asih in Samarang, Garut, has emerged as a remarkable agent of change.
Putri not only earned the prestigious title of Ashoka Changemaker 2025 but also initiated a vital program called "Welas Asih Lindungi dan Cegah Kekerasan Seksual" (Compassion Protects and Prevents Sexual Violence). This movement focuses on preventing sexual violence in Islamic boarding schools (pesantren), a topic often considered taboo but urgently needing attention.
Putri's journey is no coincidence. Behind her passion and courage lies a strong foundation built on a deep understanding of the 12 Basic Values of Peace (NDP), a comprehensive book, module, and training developed by PeaceGeneration Indonesia (PeaceGen). Putri's story of creating a peace initiative in schools is concrete evidence of how peace values can evolve from mere theory into impactful action for young people.
The Starting Point: Discovering Peace in Everyday Pesantren Life
Putri's introduction to the 12 NDP was gradual, beginning in her educational environment at PeaceSantren Welas Asih. She frequently heard Abah Irfan Amalee, also a co-founder of PeaceGen, speak about the values of peace. Putri's curiosity grew, prompting her to encourage her pesantren to hold classes on the 12 NDP.
"I thought, wow, how can there be an institution so focused on peace, and so big, so powerful?" Putri recounted.
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She was convinced that PeaceGen's core strength must stem from these 12 values. Interestingly, even before formally studying the theory, Putri had already experienced and observed these values practiced in daily life at the pesantren and in various PeaceGen activities like the Agents of Peace (AoP) Youth Summit and Peacetival 2024. When Putri finally requested to study the 12 NDP specifically at the pesantren, everything just "clicked."
"Oh, so this is what the root (of conflict) looks like," she remarked. That moment became a turning point, transforming many of her understandings and perspectives on peace.
Tearing Down Prejudice: The Most Transformative Value Among the 12 NDP
Of the twelve values, Putri admits that Breaking Prejudice was the most impactful in changing her. She believes that prejudice is an invisible enemy.
"(Prejudice) is very subtle, very difficult to see. Unconsciously, we often prejudge others about their mistakes, their habits, or anything else they do," she explained.
Putri shared a personal experience dealing with someone who often acted rudely towards her. The feelings of hatred and annoyance made it difficult for her every time she had to meet this person. However, armed with an understanding of prejudice, she began to ask herself, "Does he really dislike me, or is it just my own prejudice?"
Taking courage, Putri invited the person to discuss. The results were surprising. The person was completely unaware that their behavior had hurt Putri and considered it a way of joking because they felt close.
"When we can break down this wall of prejudice, we can achieve a win-win solution. We can listen to their desires, and they can also listen to ours," she concluded.
This experience taught her the immense importance of communication in dismantling assumptions that could potentially damage relationships.
From Personal Growth to Social Action
A deep understanding of the 12 NDP, especially values such as Accepting Diversity, Facing Conflict, and Rejecting Violence, not only enriched Putri's personal life but also became the primary fuel for her social initiative within the pesantren environment.
Putri's journey as a changemaker began when she participated in the AoP Summit by PeaceGen. There, she chose to address the issue of sexual violence in pesantren. Initially, Putri felt pessimistic. However, the energy and spirit she gained from the young AoP network spurred her to refine her concept and build her community.
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Putri consciously integrated the 12 NDP into her social initiative, "Welas Asih Lindungi dan Cegah Kekerasan Seksual":
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Accepting Myself: This self-empowering value gave Putri strength when facing people who underestimated her initiative. "Why focus on something like that?" or "Why bother, we haven't experienced it?" were some of the responses she received. By accepting herself and her convictions, she remained firm in her path.
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Breaking Prejudice: This became her main weapon against the prevalent narrative of victim-blaming. She strives to dismantle the prejudice that victims provoke violence through their clothing or behavior.
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Male & Female Are Human Equals: Putri emphasizes the importance of mutual respect. Her initiative is not about cornering men as perpetrators but inviting all parties to protect each other because anyone can be a victim or a perpetrator.
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Rejecting Violence & Asking for Forgiveness: These two values form the core of her education. She rejects all forms of violence, especially in the educational world, and makes perpetrators realize that actions considered "jokes" are still wrong, and they must have the courage to apologize.
A Message for the Younger Generation: Learning About Peace is a Must!
Putri's story is a direct testimony of a young person who has learned the 12 NDP. Putri now believes that life must be understood through peace education. "Learning about peace is not a luxury, but a necessity," she states. Putri believes that the 12 NDP are the key that can unlock solutions to various problems faced by young people, and even adults.
"My message to my friends is, you absolutely must learn the 12 Basic Values of Peace, at least once in your lifetime," she emphasized. "And of course, not just to be learned, but also to be applied and spread. Because we'll never know how much benefit people will gain by spreading this."
Putri's vibrant positive energy stems from a deeply profound question for her: "If we die, what do we want to leave behind for others?" For Putri, life is about leaving a trace of benefit that can help others grow.
Through her journey, Putri, an Ashoka Changemaker 2025, demonstrates that becoming an agent of peace (AoP) starts from within. By breaking down the walls of prejudice in her heart, believing that men and women are equal, and rejecting violence, she is now helping young people in pesantren not stay silent about sexual violence.
The real change brought about by Putri, among others, originated from the 12 NDP, which are now available in a new format!
The 12 NDP E-Course for Youth is now here for young people to learn about peace in a creative, innovative, and exciting way.
Access the 12 NDP E-Course now https://peacegen.myr.id/lp/12-nilai-dasar-perdamaian!
