Villages must be able to create safe and comfortable conditions for children and women. The village must be their protective fortress, free from violence in any formJakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration Abdul Halim Iskandar expressed firm belief that villages should be the place where efforts to avert violence against women and children are made.
"Villages must be able to create safe and comfortable conditions for children and women. The village must be their protective fortress, free from violence in any form," he noted in a statement here, Wednesday. The minister further remarked that rampant acts of sexual violence against women in recent years called for more actions from villages as the smallest governmental apparatus that deals directly with residents.
Iskandar opined that villages could be empowered to disseminate information and promote understanding as well as raise awareness in the community regarding ways to prevent various forms of violence against children and women.
Related news: Minister to coordinate with DPR over sexual violence crimes bill
"I hope that the prevention network from the village would reach down to the neighborhood level. Thus, prevention efforts can be undertaken simultaneously by all parties for all lines and vulnerable groups," he asserted.
According to Iskandar, violence against women can be prevented by integrating a gender perspective and children's rights into village governance.
He emphasized that the cycle of discrimination against women must be broken, especially in villages. In the direction of village policies, the support for women is emphasized in the fifth Village SDGs goal, which is the involvement of village women.
Iskandar further called for women to be involved in activities, such as development planning and labor-intensive activities. Women's health and education must also be prioritized in the efforts to fight structural gender inequalities.
Related news: President's directives on sexual violence bill show gov't's commitment
He also encouraged villages to improve services for resolving cases of violence against women.
According to Iskandar, the various steps that can be taken at the village level entail establishing an institution or post for complaints of violence against children and women, facilitating and providing assistance to victims, ensuring the protection of victims of violence against women, and disseminating information on protection from violence.
"By increasing the dissemination of information, putting in place policies that favor women, and conducting institutional strengthening, and of course, coupled with support from the family and the village environment, I believe that acts of violence against women can be averted," he affirmed.
Related news: Gov't must involve private sector in vaccination program: researcher
Related news: G20 Presidency expected to boost tourism recovery: observer
Translator: Zubi M, Aria Cindyara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
