UNICEF child protection officer Dhiana Anggraeni said in Sorong on Thursday that the program was developed through collaboration between UNICEF, the local government, and the community.
It aims to improve quality of life, protect vulnerable groups, and strengthen the role of women in village development.
“Through this initiative, we want to ensure that women and children in Southwest Papua have safe spaces, free from violence, and equitable access to essential services,” she said.
According to Anggraeni, two villages have been selected as pilot sites to promote active participation of women in village-level decision-making, the development of child-friendly facilities, and the enhancement of basic services such as education, healthcare, and social protection.
A key feature of these model villages is the strong involvement of village leaders, local governments, health cadres, women’s organizations (PKK), and village security officers (Babinsa), who work together to strengthen child protection at the grassroots level.
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“These villages run awareness campaigns on child and women protection to build a supportive environment and provide referrals to local technical implementation units (UPTD) when issues arise,” she said.
She emphasized that the initiative prioritizes prevention before moving to case management and response. “Therefore, synergy and cross-sector collaboration are essential. UNICEF encourages, supports, and works hand in hand with the local government,” she added.
She noted that UNICEF is mandated to support government actions to prevent violence and ensure child protection.
“We offer concrete solutions through the signing of cross-sector cooperation agreements, which form the foundation for joint preventive measures,” she said.
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Translator: Primayanti
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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