Samarinda, E Kalimantan (ANTARA) – The East Kalimantan provincial government strives to reduce the number of cases of domestic violence in the region by increasing women’s capacity and intensifying domestic violence prevention campaigns.

Head of the East Kalimantan Office of Population, Women’s Empowerment, and Child Protection Noryani Sorayalita stated here on Saturday that one of the triggering factors for domestic violence is the family’s economic problems.

Hence, she said, the provincial government has been conducting several empowering activities, such as entrepreneurship training, to increase women’s capacity, so that they can become more economically empowered.

Along with the district and city governments, the East Kalimantan provincial government also intensifies counseling on the prevention of domestic violence.

Sorayalita also highlighted the importance of awareness in reporting acts of domestic violence that occur at home.

Meanwhile, she pointed out that the number of domestic violence cases in East Kalimantan tended to increase.

In 2021, the number of victims of domestic violence in the province was recorded at 197 people, and as of September 1, 2022, the number increased to 203 people.

According to Sorayalita, domestic violence cases were reported in Samarinda, Bontang, and Balikpapan. Seven other regions in East Kalimantan reported no domestic violence cases.

She explained that domestic violence cases were like an iceberg phenomenon, with only a few being visible on the surface.

Unreported cases are due to the low level of public awareness, Sorayalita remarked.

She explained that some residents were embarrassed or thought domestic violence did not need to be reported to the authorities.

Therefore, she said, the provincial government also intensifies counseling to raise public awareness to report domestic violence.

Earlier, the Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry had stated that economic problems were among the causes of the high level of violence against children and women.

Hence, it is important to boost women’s empowerment in entrepreneurship from a gender perspective.

Source: Antara News