Mataram, University of Mataram — The Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Arifah Fauzi, visited the University of Mataram (Unram) to deliver a sharing session with the academic community.

The event, held in the Senate Conference Room of the Rectorate on Saturday, April 18, 2026, was officially opened by Unram Rector, Prof. Dr. Sukardi, M.Pd.

In his opening remarks, Rector Prof. Sukardi expressed appreciation for the Minister’s presence and underscored the importance of collaboration between universities and government in advancing women’s empowerment and child protection. He also reaffirmed Unram’s commitment to fostering a safe campus environment free from violence.

“We are strengthening our Sexual Violence Prevention Task Force (Satgas PPKS), supported by a campus security ecosystem such as improved lighting and CCTV. We have also opened the ‘Report to the Rector’ (Kanal Lapor Rektor) channel so that every complaint, including cases of harassment, can be promptly addressed,” he stated.

Rector Prof. Sukardi added that Unram continues to promote education and cultural transformation through socialization in the student orientation program (PKKMB) as well as curriculum strengthening. In addition, victim assistance remains a primary concern, involving various units such as the Counseling and Career Development Center (BKPK), the Unram Clinic and Hospital, and professional psychologists.

“There is zero tolerance for perpetrators of sexual violence. This is our commitment, and in addressing this issue, synergy with the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) as well as the Sexual Violence Prevention Task Force (Satgas PPKPT) is essential,” he emphasized.

The program then continued with the anti‑violence declaration led by Joko Jumadi, Chair of Unram’s Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force (Satgas PPKS), and followed by all participants.

Subsequently, Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Arifah Fauzi, delivered her directive entitled “Stop Violence Against Women, Create Safe Spaces for Women, and Advance Gender‑Responsive Universities.”

In her presentation, she emphasized that the protection of women is a constitutional mandate as stipulated in Article 28G paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to feel secure. She stressed that the state bears responsibility for ensuring women are free from threats of violence and discrimination.

Minister Arifah also highlighted that Indonesia’s commitment to protecting women is reinforced through various international agreements, such as the Beijing Platform for Action 1995 and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), which has been ratified.

Nevertheless, she acknowledged that violence against women remains a serious issue. According to the 2024 National Women’s Life Experience Survey (SPHPN), one in four women has experienced violence. Meanwhile, data from SIMFONI PPA in 2025 recorded more than 35,000 cases of violence, with the majority of victims being women.

She explained that such cases often represent a “tip of the iceberg” phenomenon, as many incidents go unreported. In fact, perpetrators are frequently drawn from the victim’s immediate environment, resulting in prolonged trauma.

In the context of higher education, Minister Arifah stressed the vital role of the Sexual Violence Prevention and Handling Task Force in Universities (Satgas PPKPT) as the front line of protection. The establishment of this task force is an implementation of Ministerial Regulation of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology (Permendikbudristek) No. 55 of 2024, which expands the scope of violence prevention and handling not only sexual violence, but also bullying, physical and verbal abuse, and intolerance.

However, she acknowledged that the effectiveness of Satgas PPKPT still faces a number of challenges, ranging from misalignment of regulations at the institutional level, the reluctance of victims to report due to stigma and power relations, to the limited capacity of task force members.

Minister Arifah urged universities to demonstrate strong commitment in strengthening the capacity of task forces, enhancing cross‑sector coordination, and providing comprehensive support services for victims.

She further underlined the importance of realizing Gender‑Responsive Universities (PTRG) institutions that integrate gender equality perspectives into policies, curricula, and campus services.

“Empowered women, protected children, toward Indonesia Emas 2045,” she concluded.