Building Strong Families: The Key to Combating Domestic Violence in Indonesia

In the fight against domestic violence, quality parenting emerges as a crucial weapon. Woro Srihastuti Sulistyaningrum, Deputy for Coordination of Child, Women, and Youth Quality Improvement at the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture (Kemenko PMK), emphasizes this critical point. She acknowledges the challenges faced by contemporary parents, including economic pressures often requiring both parents to work, leaving limited time for nurturing their children.

Addressing the Roots of Violence: Strengthening Parenting and Family Institutions

Woro highlights the alarming rise in violence involving children, attributing it to parenting challenges. “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.”

Collaborative Efforts for Comprehensive Support

To address these challenges, Kemenko PMK is fostering collaborations with six ministries and agencies to strengthen 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 importance of this cross-agency approach in providing comprehensive support. “The Family Learning Center (Puspaga) managed by KPPPA offers counseling services for families facing difficulties. This assists families in seeking solutions and improving communication,” she says.

Community-Based Interventions for a Safer Future

Beyond pre-marital counseling, community-based integrated child protection programs are being implemented. These programs engage community leaders to identify families at risk of experiencing violence or other issues.

What initiatives are being implemented to improve pre-marital counseling in Indonesia?

The Kemenko PMK is fostering collaborations with six ministries and agencies to strengthen pre-marital counseling. These include the 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, and Ministry of Manpower. This cross-agency approach is crucial for providing comprehensive support to couples before marriage.

How does the Family Learning Center (Puspaga) support families facing difficulties?

The Family Learning Center (Puspaga) managed by KPPPA offers counseling services for families facing difficulties. This assists families in seeking solutions and improving communication.

What are the challenges that parents face in today’s society?

Many parents face economic pressures that often require both parents to work, leaving little time for nurturing their children. This can lead to a lack of knowledge of proper parenting practices and an increase in violence involving children.

What is the significance of strong and resilient families in achieving Indonesia's Vision 2045?

Strong and resilient families are key to achieving Indonesia's Vision 2045. They are essential for cultivating a skilled, productive, competitive, and virtuous human capital, which is crucial for national progress.

What is the main message emphasized by Woro Srihastuti Sulistyaningrum in the article?

The main message emphasized by Woro Srihastuti Sulistyaningrum is that quality parenting is a vital tool in the fight against domestic violence. This message highlights the importance of investing in strong families as a foundation for building a brighter future.

Investing in Family Strength for National Progress

Woro concludes with a powerful call to action, emphasizing the pivotal role of strong families in achieving Indonesia’s Vision 2045. “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,” she says. By prioritizing family well-being and providing the necessary support, Indonesia can create a future free from violence and pave the way for a brighter future for all.