Let us end these heinous cases
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinator and deputy speaker for people's prosperity of the House of Representatives (DPR), Muhaimin Iskandar, has said that he will work to ensure the immediate ratification of the sexual violence prevention bill (RUU TPKS).



"I choose to let out my voice. Sexual violence and harassment have to be ended. I cannot stand hearing the stories from survivors," he remarked in a written statement issued on Thursday.



"I will ensure that the RUU TPKS is ratified promptly. Let us end these heinous cases," he stressed.


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Iskandar said he was moved by the stories related by the survivors of sexual violence and harassment during an interaction here on Wednesday. He further said he spoke to all the survivors during the interaction and asked them to state their expectations from the government so they can lead a good life.



"I came here not to give advice because that is not what they need at the moment. They should continue to live and we should ensure that we are on their side," he remarked.



"This is the political prosperity that I meant, which is, no child left behind," he added.



During the dialogue, Iskandar was accompanied by Manpower Minister Ida Fauziyah. She was also moved to tears by the survivors' stories, he said.


Related news: NGOs urge gov't to include forced marriage in sexual violence bill



During the interaction, the minister said training and certification will be provided to sexual violence and harassment survivors and victims under a cooperation scheme with the Ministry of Manpower.



"The ministry is ready to facilitate training activities in accordance with survivors' interests and passion," she affirmed.



"I await the need identification from the supervisor so that we can register them for our training program and also support them to become entrepreneurs so that they can become financially independent," she added.



During the event, Iskandar and Fauziyah also made donations in the form of daily needs for victims and operational aid for assistance institutions.


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Translator: Zubi Mahrofi, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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