LocationsBridging the Gap: Unlocking Gender Equity and Social Inclusion Through Sign Language Training
September 17, 2024
The Sign Language Training Participants and Trainers from Pusbisindo
UNDP Indonesia Country Office is steadfastly dedicated to promote Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to address poverty, inequity, and environmental issues by applying SDGs' universal, integrative, and inclusive principles, to ensure that “no one is left behind". The guiding principles are reflected in all UNDP initiatives, training programs, and cross-cutting issues.
In 2024, the Indonesia Statistics reported 38.8 million people, or 13.69% of the population, have disabilities, including 2.6 million with hearing impairments. Recognizing its obligation to address marginalization, the Government of Indonesia (GoI) ratified the Convention on Disability Rights through Law Number 19 of 2011 and enacted seven regulations under Law Number 8 of 2016. These efforts reflect the government's commitment to ensure equal rights for persons with disabilities, empowering them to play an active role in the national development.
A sign language trainer conducting training for participants from UNDP Indonesia
In light of these significant statistics and the commitment from the Government of Indonesia to disability rights, UNDP Indonesia held the sign language training as a crucial step toward fostering inclusivity and empowering individuals with hearing impairments to participate in society fully.
A series of sign language training sessions took place in August, September, and October 2024, engaging approximately 30 participants from various teams, including program, operations, and communications. This initiative collaborates with Pusat Bahasa Isyarat Indonesia (Pusbisindo), a research and development center for sign languages in Indonesia. The training involved the center’s expert trainers on hearing disabilities to ensure an impactful learning experience.
Sign language is more than just a means of communication for the hard-of-hearing communities. It plays a crucial role in promoting Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI), aligning with the broader objectives of the SDGs. UNDP wants to ensure that individuals in the hard-of-hearing community are not left out of social, economic, educational, employment, and political processes.
Through the promotion of an inclusive and diverse culture, UNDP staff will be well-equipped with the necessary tools to communicate with individuals from various backgrounds. The UNDP staff members who took the basic course expressed great enthusiasm about learning sign language to interact with those who have hearing impairments and possibly even work with them in the future.
As one enthusiastic participant, Mr.Riswan Andika said “I am truly delighted to take part in this capacity building programme in facilitating personnel to learn sign language, as it allows me to hear the voice of the deaf community and understand their words. This journey enables me to bridge communication gaps and ensure that I can effectively convey my thoughts and comprehend theirs. Embracing this skill underscores the importance of communication in upholding human rights and fostering mutual understanding. I understand that I have only learned the basics, but I have taken the little step toward truly ensuring to leave no one behind.
Another participant, Ms. Elisa Fitriani, shared her insights, saying, "I was amazed by how intuitive sign language is. Each gesture logically represents an action or object—like the sign for 'cat,' which mimics a cat's behavior, or for 'banana,' where you imitate peeling it. The language is both expressive and easy to grasp." Mr. Budianto Turisno commented, "I never thought I'd be using my hands to talk so much, but here we are! If you see me waving my hands around, don’t worry—I'm just practicing."
Some of UNDP Indonesia staff participated as trainees in the sign language training
These reflections highlight the enthusiasm and engagement of the participants as they explore the expressive power of sign language. These reflections highlight the enthusiasm and engagement of the participants as they explore the expressive power of sign language.
When sign language is recognized and promoted, it assists in developing a more inclusive society where everyone, regardless of their hearing ability, can fully participate. This is especially important in public services, workplaces, and other community activities, where the inclusion of sign language can ensure that individuals with hearing issues are not marginalized. George Veditz, a prominent American advocate for the deaf community, once said, “Sign language is the noblest gift God has given to deaf people.”
In conclusion, sign language is more than just a means of communication; it is a powerful tool for promoting GESI. By integrating sign language into various aspects of society, we can ensure that individuals with hearing impairments, particularly women and girls, have equal opportunities to participate in education, employment, healthcare, and political processes. This commitment aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and fosters a more inclusive and equitable world for all.
Written by Linda Theresia Boboy (Security Assistant UNDP Indonesia) and Astiti Sukatrilaksana (Head of Human Resources UNDP Indonesia )