We sympathize with what happened to the family in Gowa, South Sulawesi (in an incident) that went viral on social media. We all agree that rules must be enforced as they are, but we cannot have violence in their implementation.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Ministry for Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA) has asked police to refrain from violence while enforcing emergency community activity restrictions, following reports of a couple being assaulted by an officer in Gowa, South Sulawesi .

"We sympathize with what happened to the family in Gowa, South Sulawesi (in an incident) that went viral on social media. We all agree that rules must be enforced as they are, but we cannot have violence in their implementation," the ministry's deputy for women's rights protection, Ratna Susianawati, said in a statement issued here on Friday.

According to reports, a Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) officer slapped a married couple running a café in Gowa, South Sulawesi on Wednesday (July 17, 2021).

The officer reportedly heard loud music playing at the café during a patrol and went inside the establishment to look for the owner. A verbal spat reportedly ensued during which he slapped the owner and his wife, who is said to be eight months pregnant.

Taking note of the incident, Susianawati said that amid the pandemic, when everybody is struggling to take care of themselves and their family, it is better to approach problems with empathy.

The ministry understands the difficulties faced by law enforcement officers in enforcing the PPKM in their regions, especially when there are still so many people violating the rules, but dialogue and education must be prioritized in the imposition of restrictions, she stressed.

The ministry has also urged citizens and government officials to work together to create an anti-violence society, she said.

"All of us are struggling not to propagate the culture of violence at all levels of society," she pointed out. Women and children are often vulnerable to acts of violence, so everyone needs to protect them, she remarked.

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Translator: Devi Ramadhan, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Suharto
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