IPAS Indonesia Foundation Conducts Assessment of Healthcare Services for Victims of Violence in Central Java

Through the ARUNIKA program (Empowered Women for an Indonesia Free from Violence), the IPAS Indonesia Foundation conducted assessments at 12 health facilities in Central Java. This activity took place at ARUNIKA project locations in Surakarta, Sukoharjo, and Semarang.

This activity, taking place from January 22 to February 27, 2025, aims to assess the readiness of healthcare facilities in providing healthcare services for victims of Gender-Based and Sexual Violence (GBSV). These services are a crucial component of the ARUNIKA program to ensure victims receive their rights and access to healthcare for recovery.

This assessment is conducted in two stages. The first involves data collection from questionnaires completed by healthcare facilities. Subsequently, the second stage is the interview component. This session further explores the experiences of service providers in managing GBSV victims.

Several officers reported that they frequently handle GBSV victims. However, the majority have not yet undergone training in violence management. Furthermore, most healthcare facilities also lack documented procedures on how healthcare services for GBSV victims are to be implemented.

Dr. Henny Puspitosari Utama, Head of Kartasura Community Health Center in Surakarta City, stated that her institution frequently handles GBV cases. She also acknowledged collaborating with various parties at the neighborhood units (RT/RW), urban villages, and sub-district levels in managing these cases.  

“We are grateful that we can work closely together, as issues of violence certainly cannot be resolved by the health sector alone,” she added. 

The data collected from this assessment will serve as a basis for preparing health facilities to provide services to GBV victims, including enhancing the capacity of service providers.  

Dr. Haryanti Katrini Mulyaningrum, Head of Sibela Community Health Center in Surakarta City, affirmed that her institution welcomes the plans within the ARUNIKA Program. “This includes training for health workers. We demonstrate our commitment, among other ways, through our initiative via a decree from the head of the community health center regarding the Team for Capable Management of Violence Against Women and Children (KtPA) at Sibela Community Health Center,” she stated.