"As a forerunner to determine the future of the nation, our children must always be protected and looked after to support their growth and development," the minister noted in a written statement received here, Sunday.
Halim equated child protection as being as important as women's protection, which is one of the goals in the Village Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
"Our children are the future of the nation. Mothers are fighters, who determine the quality of life for our society and nation in the future," he stated.
As is known, cases of crimes against children, in the form of sexual violence, are on the rise.
The minister pressed to address this matter at the earliest, including through strengthening regulations, in order to ensure comfortable and safe growth of children.
"Every day, we see the news that breaks our hearts related to violence against women and children. Hence, today, in East Java, we are calling to stop violence against women and children," the minister remarked.
Earlier, the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA) recorded 11,057 cases of violence against children in 2019, and this figure climbed to 11,278 in 2020.
In 2021, some 14,517 cases of violence against children were recorded, while in 2022, around 11,012 cases of child abuse were registered.
Although the figure has decreased as compared to the previous year, violence against children has been a matter of major concern lately.
The minister affirmed that protection for women and children had been in accordance with the regulation contained in the Village SDGs and was applied at the village level.
Alignment with women was also emphasized in the fifth goal emphasizing the involvement of village women, he stated.
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Translator: Zubi Mahrofi, Resinta S
Editor: Sri Haryati
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