FIKES Online News – The Epidemiology Student Association (ESA) of the Faculty of Health Sciences (FIKES), UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, successfully organized the PENA 2026 Webinar and Activity Series on Saturday, May 30, 2026. Conducted virtually via Zoom Meeting, the event served as a platform for students and academics to discuss sexual violence from public health, social, and behavioral perspectives.

Led by Ghina Resti Zakiyah and hosted by Siti Nur Rachmawati as the Master of Ceremony (MC), the webinar attracted participants from various universities across Indonesia. As a key component of the broader PENA 2026 program, the event also featured infographic and essay competitions aimed at fostering students’ creativity, critical thinking, and academic engagement.

The program commenced with a recitation of verses from the Holy Qur’an by Sita Nafeyla Putri Zahra, followed by the singing of the Indonesian national anthem Indonesia Raya, the UIN Hymn, and the FIKES UIN Jakarta March. The opening session created a solemn yet inspiring atmosphere, reflecting the event’s commitment to raising awareness of sexual violence prevention among adolescents and young adults.

In her opening remarks, Ghina Resti Zakiyah, Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, expressed her appreciation to all parties who contributed to the success of the event. Welcoming speeches were also delivered by Khahlil Gibran, President of ESA, Prof. Hoirun Nisa, M.Kes., Ph.D., ESA Faculty Advisor, and Dr. Uswatun Khasanah, M.N.S., Vice Dean III for Student Affairs, Alumni, and Partnerships at the Faculty of Health Sciences, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. The speakers emphasized the important role of students as agents of change in fostering safe, healthy, and violence-free environments.

The opening session concluded with a group photo and a pre-test session before participants proceeded to the main agenda. Moderated by Dinda Azizah, the webinar featured two distinguished speakers who provided comprehensive insights into the causes, impacts, and prevention strategies related to sexual violence.

The first speaker, Dr. Farid Hamzens, delivered a presentation entitled “Understanding Sexual Violence and Its Prevention Efforts.” He explained that sexual violence should be understood through a biopsychosocial framework, involving the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors. According to him, effective prevention requires a comprehensive approach that strengthens self-control, promotes empathy, and supports the creation of social environments that protect victims and discourage violent behavior.

He also highlighted the crucial role of families, educational institutions, and communities in cultivating a culture that respects human dignity and individual rights. By addressing risk factors collectively, stakeholders can contribute to the development of safer and more supportive social environments.

The second session was presented by Prof. Hoirun Nisa, M.Kes., Ph.D., who delivered a lecture titled “Social and Behavioral Determinants of Sexual Violence Risk Among Adolescents.” She described sexual violence as a significant public health issue influenced by multiple factors, including family dynamics, peer relationships, communication patterns, and social media use.

Prof. Nisa stressed that prevention efforts must be collaborative and evidence-based. She underscored the importance of continuous education, strengthening protection systems, and utilizing scientific data and research findings to design effective intervention programs aimed at reducing the incidence of sexual violence among adolescents.

Participants demonstrated high enthusiasm throughout the interactive discussion session, raising questions related to prevention strategies, the role of students in awareness campaigns, and efforts to create safe and inclusive campus environments. The discussion provided a valuable opportunity for participants to gain a deeper understanding of the complexity of sexual violence and its far-reaching impacts from various perspectives.

Following the discussion, the organizing committee symbolically presented certificates of appreciation to the speakers in recognition of their valuable contributions. Participants were then invited to complete a post-test designed to evaluate their understanding of the topics discussed during the webinar.

As the event approached its conclusion, the committee announced the winners of the PENA 2026 Competition Series, which included the Infographic Competition and Essay Competition. The contests attracted submissions from university students across Indonesia and served as a platform for promoting creativity, analytical thinking, and awareness of health and social issues.

In addition to recognizing competition winners, ESA also presented awards to the most active webinar participants. The results of the competitions and event highlights were subsequently published through ESA’s official social media channels to reach a broader audience.

The PENA 2026 Webinar concluded with an official closing ceremony, a group photo session, and a closing prayer led by Rahmat Heka Putra. Through this initiative, ESA of the Faculty of Health Sciences at UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta hopes to continue fostering academic excellence, social awareness, critical thinking, and student achievement while encouraging meaningful contributions to addressing public health challenges in the future. (ZR)