Empowering Families to Combat Domestic Violence: Indonesia's Comprehensive Approach

In the fight against domestic violence, the importance of quality parenting cannot be overstated. This is the central message delivered by Woro Srihastuti Sulistyaningrum, Deputy for Coordination of Child, Women, and Youth Quality Improvement at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK). She underscores the challenges facing parents in today's world, including economic pressures that often necessitate dual-income households, leaving limited time for nurturing their children.

Tackling the Root Cause: Strengthening Families

"Many issues arise today, especially concerning violence involving children," Woro explains. "The crux of the matter lies in parenting, which often faces obstacles. For example, both parents must work for economic reasons, and many parents lack the knowledge of proper parenting."

Recognizing the critical role of strong families in preventing domestic violence, Kemenko PMK is spearheading a collaborative effort involving six ministries and agencies to bolster pre-marital counseling. These include:

• Ministry of Religion
• Ministry of Health
• National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN)
• Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA)
• Ministry of Home Affairs
• Ministry of Manpower

Woro emphasizes the significance of this interagency approach, stating, "The Family Learning Center (Puspaga) managed by KPPPA offers counseling services for families facing difficulties. This assists families in seeking solutions and improving communication."

Beyond Pre-Marital Counseling: Building Community Resilience

Beyond pre-marital counseling, Indonesia is implementing community-based integrated child protection programs that engage community leaders in identifying families at risk of experiencing violence or other issues. These programs serve as an early warning system, allowing for timely intervention and support.

This comprehensive strategy recognizes the interconnectedness of family well-being and national progress. As Woro concludes, "To achieve Indonesia’s Vision 2045, we need to cultivate a skilled, productive, competitive, and virtuous human capital. All of this begins with the family. Strong and resilient families are key to achieving Indonesia’s Vision 2045. We must build individual quality, strengthen family institutions, and their environment to achieve national progress."

By prioritizing the development of strong families, Indonesia aims to build a future free from violence and pave the way for a brighter future for all. This comprehensive approach, encompassing pre-marital counseling, community-based support, and a focus on nurturing positive family dynamics, offers a promising path towards a more just and equitable society.