Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Minister Bintang Puspayoga emphasized that ways to eradicate sexual violence in all regions could not be made uniform.
“With thousands of islands and various religions, tribes, and cultures, we cannot make the treatment or policies uniform,” the minister remarked at the Being PPPA Minister for a Day event here on Saturday.
Puspayoga emphasized that each region has deep-rooted cultural characteristics, for instance, patriarchy in its society and the types of causes of sexual violence that are different.
Sometimes, when the government disseminates policies that have been made, some communities do not immediately accept or practice them. Some even ignore them because those policies were deemed to not be in line with their customs.
For instance, child marriage is still celebrated with big parties in several regions, and there is no opportunity for children and women to express their feelings.
To this end, the involvement of religious and traditional leaders becomes the key to success in promoting good goals in government policies.
In helping children and women get their rights, the PPPA Ministry strives to encourage policies that are friendly to women and children, such as the presence of the Child-Friendly District/City (KLA) Program.
The ministry also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with regional governments, village heads, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), and religious leaders in villages.
The ministry is also encouraging the involvement of all parties at the village level to provide protection, assistance, and empowerment to children.
“Thus, the grassroots strategy that is adjusted with the culture in each region is vital,” she remarked.
She stressed that although synergy and collaboration are deemed necessary in tackling various acts of sexual violence, the involvement of children to save each other remains the main key.
Puspayoga believes that children are the ones who know best the problems and solutions that can fulfill their rights, including the right to live, the right to grow and develop, the right to get protection, and the right to participate.
Source: Antara News