An Early Warning System (EWS) is one of the key elements in building a disaster-resilient community. This system refers to the mechanisms and steps that communities need to take when there are signs of an impending disaster.

In collaboration with Gerak Bersama Perempuan Maluku, the IPAS Indonesia Foundation brought together representatives of civil society, women leaders, religious leaders, traditional leaders, and government officials from nine regencies and two cities in Maluku Province for a Consolidation Forum held in Ambon on June 11–13, 2026. A total of 202 people (172 women and 30 men) attended the meeting.

This forum specifically addressed efforts to strengthen health services, particularly for victims of violence against women and children in island regions. Some of the topics discussed included violence prevention, the fulfillment of reproductive health rights and access to reproductive health care, and the development of inter-island networking mechanisms in Maluku Province.

In her remarks, Deputy Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Veronica Tan emphasized that integrated services are essential so that the public—especially women—can access services more easily.

“What we are building is not just short-term aid, but a system that provides added value and sustainability. Local potential must be strengthened, supported, and developed so that it can increase community income while creating a tangible social impact,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Maluku, Hendrik Lewerissa, noted that this forum serves as an important platform for various stakeholders to collaborate, as cases of violence against women and children have reached an alarming level. Furthermore, the archipelagic nature of the region presents unique challenges, both geographically and socioculturally.

“Empowering and protecting women in Maluku requires a different approach than in other regions in order to reach coastal communities, remote, outermost, and underdeveloped areas, as well as indigenous communities,” said Hendrik.

One of the participants—and the Queen of Tananahu from Central Maluku Regency—Yulia Awayakwane, praised the forum for providing a platform to address the various challenges faced by women in the region.

“We’ve come from various regions to raise the issues we’re facing, particularly regarding the protection of women’s and children’s rights, including cases of domestic violence,” she said.

This forum is part of the ARUMBAE program, initiated by the IPAS Indonesia Foundation to strengthen networks among women’s groups. The program aims to improve access to health services for survivors and victims of violence against women and children, particularly in island regions that face various challenges in accessing such services.