What will become of the future of our nation?
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Lenny N. Rosalin, Gender Equality Deputy at the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, said there are 21 provinces with the rate of child marriage above the national figure of 10.35 percent. At the “Men's Involvement in Improving Mothers' Health to Reduce Mothers' Death” webinar held on Wednesday, she said child marriage is one of the contributing factors behind the rise in the deaths of mothers, stressing, “The risk increases when the age is younger.”

One of the causes behind early marriage is unwanted pregnancy due to liberal association or rape.

The ministry and law enforcement authorities are continuing to handle various sexual violence cases where victims are mostly female children.

“The number of cases never decrease and most of them are dominated by sexual crime where victims are mostly female, our children,” she affirmed.

Related news: Child marriages see three-fold rise in Indonesia in 2020

During the webinar, Rosalin also told a story concerning a sexual violence case that she handled in West Java.

“There is a 13 year old child who already has to take care of a baby. They (the victims) should still be cared for by their parents, but they are now the caretakers of their own children,” she said.

“What will become of the future of our nation?” she stressed.

Earlier, Rosalin stated an economic empowerment program is expected to be the gateway for resolving issues encountered by women and children, such as child marriage.

“If we could improve women's finances through entrepreneurship, then family revenues can increase, making the family more prosperous and able to at least provide better care for children,” she noted.

“At least, children's education will be better and the family's food stability will improve. With higher education for children, the rate of child labor and child marriage will hopefully decrease,” she said in conclusion.

Related news: Indonesia fights to prevent child marriage amid COVID-19 pandemic

Translator: Anita Permata D, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Suharto
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