Ministry calls for end to domestic violence, child marriage – ANTARA News

Let us be brave in reporting violence and support women and children victims of violence so that they can rise and live a good life

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry campaigned for an end to domestic violence, bullying, and child marriage through a fun walk event organized in the Car Free Day area here on Sunday.

“Let us all fight violence against women and children,” Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Bintang Puspayoga said.

“Let us be brave in reporting violence and support women and children victims of violence so that they can rise and live a good life,” she added.

The morning walk activity was one of the early steps for disseminating information on and campaigning for issues related to violence against women and children that have continued to occur in Indonesia, she informed.

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The event also served as a continuation of the campaign activities undertaken several weeks ago. This is because Indonesia is currently considered to be in a state of emergency over violence.

In the 2021 National Women Life Experience Survey (SPHPN), 1 out of 4 women in the 15–64 age group reported experiencing violence, whether physical and/or sexual.

Meanwhile, the 2021 Children and Teenagers Life Experience National Survey (SNPHAR) also reported that 4 out of 10 girls and 3 out of 10 boys in the 13–17 age group had experienced violence throughout their life.

The 2021 BPS data pegged the prevalence of child marriage at 9.23 percent.

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Meanwhile, according to the Women and Children Protection Online Information System (Simfoni PPA), in 2021, 73 percent of women faced violence and 48 percent of children experienced domestic violence.

“The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) also recorded 226 cases of physical and mental violence, including bullying, in 2022,” Puspayoga informed in a written statement.

Through the campaign, she said she expects people to understand issues that encompass various types of violence and learn how to prevent them through the smallest of actions up to reporting violence that they see or experience.

She also urged all parties to be brave in stepping forward to report cases of violence against women and children through the Women and Children Friendly (SAPA) call center number 129 and WhatsApp number 08111-129-129.

This is so that victims can receive assistance immediately and the cases can be handled further.

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