Mintohardjo has woman crisis center

JAKARTA: Mintohardjo Hospital, run by the Indonesian Navy in Bendungan Hilir, Central Jakarta, now has a special crisis center for women victims of violence.

With the new facility, Jakarta now has three such crisis centers. The other two are in Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta and Kramat Jati Police Hospital in East Jakarta, Minister of Women's Empowerment, Sri Redjeki Soemaryoto told the press after meeting with President Megawati Soekarnoputri here on Monday.

Sri Redjeki said that women should not be reluctant to use the facilities if they become victims of violence. "Every year 480 women visit the two centers," she said.

She said that the new crisis center in Mintohardjo hospital would be officiated on Dec. 22, in conjunction with Women's Day. But the opening will only be celebrated on Dec. 27 so that it can be attended by President Megawati, who will be in Irian Jaya province until Dec. 25. --JP