Kupang (ANTARA News NTT) - Minister of Women`s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPA) Yohana Yembise opened the 2018 East Women`s Conference in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara Province, on Monday.
The East Women`s Conference is being held for the first time at the El Tari Hall, East Nusa Tenggara Governor`s Office, on November 10-11, 2018.
Minister Yembise was present to open the event at around 10 a.m. local time along with several deputies accompanied by Deputy Governor of East Nusa Tenggara Josef Nae Soi.
In a speech, the minister lauded the implementation of the conference as a revival movement to curb acts of violence against women and children that are still high in the eastern region of Indonesia.
"I request that through this conference, we sit together, hold joint discussions, and find solutions to why the number of cases of violence against women and children in eastern Indonesia is still high," the minister remarked.
Minister Yembise stated that in 2017, the National Commission on Violence Against Women had recorded as many as 2,796 cases of violence against women reported in the eastern part of Indonesia.
She claimed that women from eastern Indonesia felt devastated by the high incidence of violence.
Hence, the minister stated that through the conference, she had invited various parties to draw serious attention and establish a strong commitment to reducing the cases of violence against women and children.
"Let us examine together the reason behind the high number of cases of violence in Papua, East Nusa Tenggara, Maluku, and also other regions," the minister stated.
Yembise expressed hope that new findings in studies would offer answers to the high number of cases of violence in eastern Indonesia.
"In terms of education, health, and other aspects, everything should be studied. We also need to maintain a database of women and children in each region," the minister suggested.
Some 500 participants from 12 provinces in the eastern part of Indonesia took part in the 2018 Eastern Women`s Conference.
This activity was initiated by the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan), the Penada Service Forum, and the Bakti Foundation with the support of the MAMPU Program, Australia, and Indonesia`s partnership for gender equality and women`s empowerment.
Minister opens 2018 East Women`s Conference
Minister of Women`s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPA) Yohana Yembise opened the 2018 East Women`s Conference in Kupang City, East Nusa Tenggara Province, on Monday (10/12). (ANTARA Foto/Kornelis Kaha)
Minister Yembise stated that in 2017, the National Commission on Violence Against Women had recorded as many as 2,796 cases of violence against women reported in the eastern part of Indonesia.
