"Women and children are the potential resources for developing Indonesia. Both are agents of development and have important roles in boosting the development of Indonesia in various fields, and to make Indonesia become a bigger, stronger and independent nation," she said during the opening of training of the task force of handling the issues of women and children on Friday.
She said most women and children still experience violence, abuse and trafficking.
"Women also often face a disadvantage in civil issues in which they do not get same rights, such as in the case of seizure of property and inheritance rights, child custody, divorce, claims for compensation, and employment."
Based on data from the Office of Women Empowerment and Child Protection in North Maluku province, there were 87 cases of sexual violence against children in 2016. Between January and February 2017, the office recorded 20 cases.
However, the reported cases were far fewer than the actual number because the victims felt hesitant and afraid to report mistreatment that they have experienced.
"Other obstacles are the difficulty of access to reach the denunciation service and the lack of information obtained by women and children, among others. Because of many problems faced by women and children, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection to establish the task force on handling the issues of women and children, both at central and regional levels to make efforts to help the victims and provide them assistance to obtain needed services," she said.
Yohana further said the establishment of the task force is aimed at reaching women and children, who have problems of identifying the necessary condition and services for them, and protecting them from danger.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
