Southwest Papua Government Partners with UNICEF to Reduce Child Violence
The Southwest Papua Provincial Government (PBD) is partnering with UNICEF and several development partners to strengthen the child protection system in an effort to reduce violence against children and prevent early marriage.
Anace Nauw, Head of the Social, Women’s Empowerment, and Child Protection Office (Dinsos P3A) of Southwest Papua, stated that strengthening the child protection system is being carried out through collaboration between the provincial government, six district/city governments, the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA), UNICEF, and various community organisations.
“What we are strengthening first is the child protection system through synergy between the provincial government, district/city governments, the ministry, and development partner institutions,” she said in Sorong on Friday.
According to Anace, after the system is strengthened, the government will enhance the capacity of human resources involved in child protection, including government officials, women’s and child protection institutions, community organisations, religious leaders, and other stakeholders.
UNICEF data shows there were 202 cases of violence against children with 212 victims in Southwest Papua during the period from 2021 to 2025.
Meanwhile, data from the Southwest Papua Dinsos P3A recorded 124 cases of violence against women and children in 2025, including 38 cases of sexual violence.
“Prevention must be carried out from an early stage because child marriage has the potential to trigger various problems, from stunting to domestic violence, which ultimately impacts children’s growth and development,” she said.
She called on all regional apparatus organisations, such as the Health Office, Education Office, Population and Civil Registration Office, and all development partners to strengthen collaboration to reduce the rate of violence against women and children.
“This problem cannot be handled by just one agency. Cooperation from all parties is needed so that prevention efforts can run more effectively,” she said.