Sukoharjo – The Sukoharjo Regency Government continues its efforts to end violence against women. Coinciding with the commemoration of Mother’s Day in December and the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (HAKTP), the government invites the public to pay attention to the importance of women’s existence in various development sectors.
This was conveyed by Sukoharjo Regent Etik Suryani, represented by Regional Secretary Widodo, at the event EmpowerHer: Raising Hidden Voices, Fighting Violence, held at Menara Wijaya Building, December 4, 2023. This event was a collaboration between the Sukoharjo Regency Government, SPEK-HAM Surakarta, and the Initiative for Access to Health Change (IPAS) Indonesia Foundation, supported by the Government of Canada.
The Sukoharjo Regent stated that this commemoration serves as a spearhead to advance the nation’s life because women in Indonesia play a crucial role in various aspects of life, such as in the economic, social, and cultural sectors, for sustainable development.
“This Mother’s Day commemoration coincides with the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (HAKTP) campaign, an international campaign to promote efforts to eliminate violence against all women worldwide. Violence against women is a form of human rights violation. Therefore, I hope Indonesian women can enhance their capacity, competence, and abilities. Women must also support and appreciate each other. Together with women, let us realize a Golden Indonesia 2024,” she stated.
Nur Jannah, National Program Manager of the IPAS Indonesia Foundation, appreciated the Sukoharjo government’s efforts to combat violence against women. These efforts include capacity building in handling violence cases carried out by the Sukoharjo Regency PPKBP3A Office. To support the government in comprehensively addressing sexual violence, she also introduced the ARUNIKA program, which will be implemented over the next 3.5 years in Sukoharjo.
“ARUNIKA supports the Sukoharjo Regency Government in ensuring women are empowered and free from violence, especially sexual violence. This program aims to promote service modeling in implementing the derivatives of Law No. 12 of 2022 concerning Sexual Violence Crimes (TPKS),” she stated.
The program is supported by the Government of Canada and will be implemented in Sukoharjo in collaboration with the IPAS Indonesia Foundation and local partners. Novi Anggriani, Senior International Assistance Officer at the Embassy of Canada to Indonesia, emphasized that preventing and responding to gender-based sexual violence is a priority in the Canadian government’s international assistance policy.
“The Government of Canada is committed to working with all stakeholders to prevent sexual and gender-based violence and to provide better support for survivors. Let us work together to protect and advance women’s rights,” Novi asserted.
In this activity, a number of stakeholders, including the Sukoharjo Regional Secretary, the PPKBP3A Office, the Community and Village Empowerment Office, the Investment and Integrated Services Office, TP-PKK, the Youth and Sports Office, the Environment Office, and the Industry and Manpower Office, signed a joint commitment to realize a Sukoharjo Regency free from sexual violence.