Bengkulu (ANTARA) - The policies issued by regional governments can help reduce cases of violence and immorality targeting women and children, according to Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Bintang Puspayoga.
"We always ask regional heads about policies related to women and children because these policies can reduce cases of violence and immorality. We are advocating (the policies) as the Governor of Bengkulu focuses on assisting victims of immorality," Puspayoga said here on Tuesday.
She further said that in accordance with President Joko Widodo's (Jokowi's) directives, her ministry is focusing on solving and reducing violence against women and children in Indonesia. She said the ministry needs all ranks of government as well as society to help resolve issues that cause harm to women and children.
In addition, Puspayoga also urged victims of sexual violence to not be afraid and summon the courage to speak out about the incident. "(There are still) many victims who are afraid to report and consider it an aib (shame). (Because of this), we will not be able to provide justice to the victims and deterrent effect to the perpetrators," she said.
Meanwhile, the ministry has set a budget for the non-physical Special Allocation Fund (DAK) for handling cases of violence against women in the regions. Although the fund has been distributed to 34 provinces and 216 districts and cities, there are still hundreds of regions that have not received the fund.
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Meanwhile, Bengkulu Governor Rohidin Mersyah explained that his administration has asked local governments to form task forces for the protection of women and children and the provision of assistance to victims. The task forces will be set up at the village, sub-district, district, city, and provincial levels.
"Since 2020, the Bengkulu Women and Children Protection Office has involved the district and city governments to form a task force for the protection of women and children. The office will be more productive when its functions are distributed to the communities," he said.