The Network for services for Women and Children vcitims of violence in Sukoharjo (JLPAK2S) is a network of service provider organisations that deal with violence against women and children in Sukoharjo District. The network has identified the output of its program, and integrates it into one activity during JKLPAK2S coordination meeting on Thursday (17/7). With regards to the pre-hearing with the vice district administrator, who has given positive response, the vice district administrator asks the network to draft a mechanism for dealing with violence against women and children.

The coordinator of JKLPAK2S from Sehati Sukoharjo, Edy Supriyanto says that violence against women and children in Sukoharjo District tend to be increasing. Then the issue is “does this show an increase in awareness or does this indicate that the actions implemented are not addressing the issue?” A few revelations lead to the question regarding whether the system is appropriate or not – in terms of managing the issue and in terms of prevention. Then how can people in Sukoharjo be involved?

The network has had a meeting to discuss the situation and the challenges the network is facing. There is a need to set up a pilot project as a means to increase people’s capacity in Mojolaban and Tawangsari Sub-districts. One member of the network - SPEK-HAM is preparing a Standard Operational Procedure for joint services with women empowerment and child protection agency, with the hope that the district administrator, and not just the district agency head in Sukoharjo, signs the Standard Operational Procedure.

A member of JKLPAK2S from YAPHI, Dunung Sukocowati says that during pre-hearing, the vice district administrator offered a strategic response. He asked the network to give government a concrete input that could be applied in Sukoharjo District asap. Why concrete input? Because the vice district administrator would ask relevant agency(ies) providing services for women and children (and disabilities) to have a talk. "He asked us to set a target. We would concrete offer inputs," he says.

During coordination meeting, the conceptual plan to consider is that there is involvement of district agencies, as there is already existing Standard Operational Procedure and District Agencies, and the mechanism is via government decision on collaborative agreement and MoU. The District Administrator should sign the MoU, not just the head of district agencies to be involved in the network. The District Administrator is also critical in monitoring and evaluation.

Kalau disamakan dengan kepala dinas, untuk pemberian layanan bisa saling lempar tanggung jawab antar OPD. Then each agency in the network can do what it is assigned to do - who does what. And the MoU is not just targeting Women Empowerment and Child Protection agendy, and other agencies providing services or legal aid, but also agency in charge of small and medium business and cooperatives for victim empowerment, hospitals for physical and psychological rehab, education agency for ensuring victims continuing of study, andphilantrophy agecies such as BAZNAS (Donation Agency).

Dunung Sukocowati says that it is important to set up a consortium, which we used to know as PT PAS in Surakarta, to avoid ego-sectoral tendency, and to allow for institutions and government agencies to do as planned. (Ast)