Let us build strong synergy and continuously ensure that Indonesian women and children can be equal as well as free from violence, discrimination, exploitation, and stigma.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Women should play a role in realizing equal space and environment for them, official of the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Valentina Gintings stated.

"To create Indonesia that is more inclusive, equal, and free from gender-based violence, we must ensure women's role in every part of development," Gintings noted in a press statement on Thursday.

"(This is) especially (important) since women constitute almost half of Indonesia's population," she pointed out.

In order to debunk the misconception surrounding women, Gintings affirmed that women should not give up and must be brave to seek justice for themselves.

The ministry has, since 2021, continuously campaigned for Dare to Speak Up or women should be brave in speaking up.

"I believe that this campaign can be our effort to voice out women's rights in their environment," she affirmed.

According to the 2021 National Women Life Experience Survey, one out of four women aged 15-64 years in Indonesia experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by their partner and other people in their lives.

Meanwhile, a report from the Women and Children Protection Online Information System (Simfoni-PPA) stated that during the 2020-2021 period, the number of cases of violence against women had reached 10,724, with domestic violence being the most reported.

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The ministry urged all pentahelix components of both genders to cooperate to create a safe and supportive environment for women.

"Efforts that have been made to protect women and children, starting from the smallest unit, such as family, society, and stakeholders, should be strengthened," Gintings affirmed.

"Let us build strong synergy and continuously ensure that Indonesian women and children can be equal as well as free from violence, discrimination, exploitation, and stigma," she noted.

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Translator: Anita Permata D, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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