Forum Group Discussion by Harapan Fian: Reproductive Justice and Community Research in Street Situations

Yogyakarta, June 28, 2026 – Harapan Fian visited the Center of Reproductive Health at Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) to hold a Focus Group Discussion (FGD) on community‑based research in street situations through the lens of reproductive justice. The event served as a collaborative space for researchers, students, and activists to better understand the realities of adolescents in street situations and to design research strategies that are more ethical, inclusive, and responsive to community needs.

During the FGD, Harapan Fian emphasized the importance of shifting the paradigm from “researching about” to “researching with”. This perspective positions adolescents in street situations as subjects of research with agency, rather than mere objects of data. The discussion also highlighted the three fundamental rights within the reproductive justice framework: the right to have children, the right not to have children, and the right to raise children in a safe and healthy environment.

Participants were invited to explore key principles of community research, including meaningful participation, equality and inclusivity, safety and ethics, and building sensitivity and trust with communities. Harapan Fian also introduced participatory analytical tools such as story mapping, problem and hope trees, digital diaries, and emotion mapping, which have proven effective in engaging adolescents creatively and enjoyably.

“Research is a means, not an end. Through this FGD, we want to emphasize that community‑based research must be oriented toward empowerment, sustainability, and returning results to those involved,” said one of Harapan Fian’s facilitators.

The discussion also spotlighted visual storytelling practices conducted with young mothers in Yogyakarta, as well as community mapping in Kampung Notoyudan, both of which serve as concrete examples of participatory research.

This activity reflects Harapan Fian’s ongoing commitment to building safe spaces for communities, strengthening the capacity of young researchers, and ensuring that the voices of adolescents in street situations are not only heard but also form the foundation for policy and program development in reproductive health in Indonesia.