To strengthen the role of the state and multistakeholder cooperation in preventing violence against women and children, INKLUSI Partner, Lakpesdam PBNU, in collaboration with its local partner Puan Amal Hayati, organised a National Seminar titled “Strengthening State Authority in Preventing Violence Against Women and Children: Preventing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child Marriage”. The seminar was held on December 27 in Jakarta. The event aimed to promote the elimination of harmful practices such as FGM and child marriage in Indonesia.
In her opening speech, the Chair of Puan Amal Hayati Foundation, Mrs. Sinta Nuriyah Abdurrahman Wahid, highlighted the importance of the state’s role in advancing approaches based on human rights, equality, and justice.
“The state has a responsibility to protect women, especially by supporting them to live free from violence, while considering the experiences and needs of women who are often the ones affected by harmful traditions,” she said.
The event brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including the Vice Minister for Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Veronica Tan, who delivered the opening remarks. The Minister of Religious Affairs, Prof. Dr. KH. Nasaruddin Umar, MA, also gave a keynote address. More than 100 participants from various sectors, including the INKLUSI network, actively contributed by sharing their views and strategic recommendations.
During the discussion session, five panellists from various institutions, including Amnesty International, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, PBNU, and senior researchers, presented their perspectives on preventing FGM and child marriage. The discussions covered legal, economic, health, and religious interpretations to provide a comprehensive understanding of ways to eliminate these harmful practices and create more effective and sustainable policies.
Through this seminar, INKLUSI partners hope to strengthen cross-sectoral synergy and create an inclusive dialogue space to share solutions, knowledge, and experiences. The goal is to increase public awareness about the protection of women’s and children’s rights, as well as to support evidence-based policies that will contribute to a more equal, violence-free Indonesia, ensuring no one is left behind in development.
