Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Bintang Puspayoga encouraged female leaders to continue to play their part in addressing women and child issues in society.

According to the written statement received here on Wednesday (July 12), the minister drew attention to Law No. 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crime (UU TPKS) as one concrete result of women's role in addressing national issues.

"As women, we should be proud of this collective achievement that can ensure protection for women and children from sexual violence crimes," Puspayoga stated.

The minister highlighted that the parliament had passed Law No. 12 of 2022 following years-long advocacy through meetings and effective dialogue between government ministries and agencies, women parliamentarians, and women in public organizations.

Indonesian women and women leaders have been active in initiating changes to increase women and child protection and address recurring issues that they often face, she emphasized.

"We should also work hard to ensure UU TPKS can be implemented properly to make all people understand that a law exists to restrict and have a deterrent effect (on those committing crimes)," Puspayoga emphasized.

Meanwhile, the minister remarked that women can also play their part to reduce the prevalence of violence cases, especially sexual violence.

Women could be the bridge connecting various stakeholders involved in efforts to control and reduce violence in public.

Puspayoga also highlighted prevention, handling, and recovery as the three pillars that all stakeholders should implement collaboratively and synergically to reduce cases of violence in Indonesia.

"Sexual violence handling process that starts from prevention, handling, and recovery cannot be implemented by hard work of only one or two stakeholders," the minister stressed.

"It requires unified and simultaneous cooperation between the central and regional authorities, the business sector, the academic community, mass media, and the women itself," she remarked.

Related news: Women's empowerment first step to addressing child violence: minister
Related news: ASEAN collaboration can expedite gender mainstreaming: Ministry
Related news: Local figures' involvement to realize child-friendly region: Ministry

Translator: Anita Permata D, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2023