Safe houses are essential to protect victims of violence and human trafficking, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Bintang Puspayoga has said.
Besides protecting victims, safe houses must also empower them to return to society, she added.
“Ensuring survivors receive the best services to recover and get justice is essential, not only for the central government or the ministry but also for all parties,” Puspayoga said, according to a press release issued on Wednesday.
The minister earlier made a working visit to two safe houses operated by Donders Humanitarian Development Foundation and Weetebula Charity in Southwest Sumba, East Nusa Tenggara, to examine the adequacy of services for children and victims of violence and human trafficking in the region.
“Reduction of violence against women and children is one of the priority tasks from President Joko Widodo, which the ministry must complete by 2024,” she noted.
Puspayoga also lauded public organizations and local religious figures who have ensured the rights of women and children affected by violence, as well as empowered them through various programs and training sessions.
The two safe houses have provided several empowerment programs for women and children, including scholarships to the university level, basic and soft skills training, and emotional and spiritual guidance for children by priests and nuns, she highlighted.
During the working visit, the minister also provided sanitary equipment and food for women and children residing in the two safe houses.
Puspayoga also inaugurated a women-friendly and child-caring village (DRPPA) at Southwest Sumba’s Pogo Tena Village.
According to the minister, DRPPAs are essential for elevating the condition of women and children who are among the vulnerable groups.
She also urged villages to formulate a regulation as a legal basis for DRPPA and to accommodate the DRPPA in the village budget.
“To realize DRPPA, villages must have disaggregated data on women and children. The data is important to ensure accurate intervention programs and activities,” she said.
Source: Antara News