Bantul – 35 residents of Sriharjo Village gathered at the village hall on Wednesday, May 19, 2026. They are members of the newly formed Task Force for the Protection of Women, Children, and People with Disabilities (PPAD). This meeting marked the start of their outreach to 13 smaller community units (padukuhan) in the area. A spirit of community cooperation filled the meeting room when Nur, as facilitator from YKPI, opened the discussion.
Prevention is Better Than Waiting for Cases to Happen
The head of Sriharjo Village, affectionately called “Bu Lurah” (Madam Village Head), gave an opening speech full of hope. “A village that is friendly to women, children, and people with disabilities should not just be an idea on paper. Let’s make it real for the progress of Sriharjo,” she told the task force team.
She highlighted several recent cases: juvenile delinquency, unwanted pregnancies, and even abortions involving children in Sriharjo. According to Bu Lurah, this situation urgently requires a protection perspective that prioritizes the best interests of children.
Three teams have already been formed: prevention, response, and recovery. Now it’s time to go down to the community units. “With massive outreach, we can reduce the numbers of juvenile delinquency, unwanted pregnancies, and violence against vulnerable groups,” she emphasized.
To ensure these efforts have a solid foundation, Bu Lurah explained the regulations that support them. These include the Law on Domestic Violence, the Law on Child Protection, and Village Regulation Number 2 of 2026 concerning the Protection of Women, Children, and People with Disabilities who are victims of violence.
In that regulation, the principles of victim protection include noble values such as non-discrimination and prioritizing mutual cooperation. In addition, a decree complete with standard operating procedures (SOPs), handling flowcharts, and organizational structure is also available.
Smart Strategies from the Three Teams
Nur then guided the participants to discuss actively. Each team was asked to answer key questions: who will do the work, what strategies will be used, and how can the outreach in the community units run smoothly?
The prevention team designed a structured outreach plan. They mapped out the human resources involved, set a timeline, and prepared the tools to be used. This strategy is expected to raise awareness among residents early on.
The response team focused on the mechanism when a case occurs. This includes receiving reports, supporting victims, and coordinating with authorities and relevant agencies.
The recovery team developed a psychosocial approach so that victims can return to living safely and confidently. Long-term support is their priority.
The meeting also included a session to create a field guide. Several supporting documents, such as strategy papers, schedules, and outreach tools, were prepared as attachments. This way, every task force member has the same reference when they go out to the community.
Bu Lurah closed her speech with the highest appreciation. “Thank you to the PPAD Task Force members who have come. I entrust you with the protection of our children, women, and our brothers and sisters with disabilities. Let’s do this together, for the good of Sriharjo,” she said.
The warm and lively meeting proved that change doesn’t have to start with big things. It can start from a small meeting room, then spread to every community unit, and finally touch the lives of even the most vulnerable residents.
This article was developed from the meeting minutes of the Sriharjo Village PPAD Task Force, facilitated by the Indonesian Justice and Peace Foundation (YKPI).