Deputy Chairperson of Komnas Perempuan, Olivia Ch. Salampessy, said that the ministry is at the forefront of commitment and pays special attention to the prevention and handling of sexual violence.
"We appreciate this," she said during a meeting with the ministry in Jakarta on Wednesday.
According to her, the ministry has initiated a pilot project and set an example for other ministries and institutions in sexual violence prevention and handling.
Citing an example, Salampessy said that religious universities under the Ministry of Religious Affairs have standard operating procedures (SOPs) for sexual violence prevention.
"We hope the SOPs for sexual violence prevention and handling are not only applied in educational institutions but also at the Religious Affairs Ministry, down to the lowest level," she added.
During the meeting, the commission and the ministry also discussed renewing their cooperation agreement or memorandum of understanding (MoU) on "Violence-Free Areas and Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling" in educational settings.
She said the cooperation agreement between the two parties has been carried out since 2018 and ended on May 25, 2023.
"Our visit is to discuss the MoU that was signed five years ago, what needs to be updated and developed regarding the current dynamics," she said.
Meanwhile, Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said that the MoU with Komnas Perempuan must be followed up because of the importance of joint commitment to preventing and handling sexual violence.
He highlighted that his ministry, which was formerly known as a very masculine organization, has currently applied gender equality values.
"I made a breakthrough that may seem small to others but becomes an illustration of how the Ministry of Religious Affairs is committed to gender equality and the protection of women," he said.
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Translator: Asep Firmansyah, Raka Adji
Editor: Anton Santoso
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