Inclusive protection for women, children needs joint efforts

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry highlighted that collaboration among ministries, institutions, regional governments, the private sector, and international partners is crucial to building an inclusive protection system for women and children.

"Collaboration among all parties, including central and regional governments, civil society, academics, media, the private sector, and international partners, is important to realizing the vision of Empowered Women, Protected Children towards the Golden Indonesia 2045. Without cooperation, this effort will not succeed comprehensively and sustainably," the ministry's Deputy for Protection of Women's Rights, Desy Andriani, stated in Jakarta, on Friday.

She reiterated the Indonesian government's commitment to eliminating all forms of violence against women and children through the National Consultation Forum for the Final Review of the ASEAN Regional Action Plan on the Elimination of Violence against Women.

"We express our appreciation to the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC), Australian Aid, the European Union, UNFPA, and UN Women for their support in organizing this strategic forum," she remarked.

The ministry expressed hope that the forum would produce concrete and sustainable steps to address violence against women and children, as well as strengthen cross-sector commitments to create an inclusive protection system.

This forum is part of a joint effort to review the achievements and final review report of the Regional Plan of Action on the Elimination of Violence against Women (RPA on EVAW) for the 2016-2025 period, prepare recommendations for the 2026-2035 RPA, and provide input on the ASEAN disability inclusion guidelines.

"This process is important to align national and regional policies for the protection of women and children," she stated.