@mellahmad
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In Indonesia, we have laws endorsed for the prevention of violence against women and children, particularly in cases of sexual violence (known as the Undang-Undang Pencegahan Kekerasan Seksual). While physical abuse against women and children is less tolerated in more middle-class and educated communities, Mercy’s case would likely be reported, and Clinton would be approached by local authorities. His drinking habits are not a good example of fatherhood or being a husband. Though this response is still in the early stages, prominent local figures can influence other problematic husbands to prevent future behavior similar to Clinton’s. The factors and triggers may be addressed in a more universal setting, with social control playing a key role in prevention
By utilizing livelihood programs as an entry point to support men’s income generation, all program approaches must incorporate gender mainstreaming as a fundamental requirement for male participants. Both perpetrators of intimate partner violence (IPV) and non-perpetrators should be included as a control group in an accountability framework. Group discussions and sharing sessions with respected religious or key opinion leaders can focus on addressing harmful male behaviors that do not align with the ideal role of a husband or father as a family leader. These discussions can emphasize the consequences, not only on the quality of their marriages but also on the community as a whole.
The community norms have set a standard where women are expected to endure physical discipline from their brothers, fathers, and husbands. This has been Mercy’s reality, as she witnessed her mother being physically abused by her father. Over time, it became normalized for her children to witness the same behavior, with their father as the breadwinner and their mother subjected to beatings, under the guise of discipline.
As these practices are passed down through generations without any significant shift in norms, the escalation of partner abuse becomes widely accepted. Women and children are relegated to a subordinate position in family relations. This is an undeniable fact: violence jeopardizes the lives of Mercy and other women in her community.
The limitation on a girl’s ability to attend secondary school, as seen with Mercy, can have significant long-term consequences. Such restrictions often lead to gender inequity practices, diminishing her future opportunities and role as a mother. As the family grows, financial demands increase, and her ability to contribute to income generation is overwhelmed by her multitasking and lack of support from her partner in daily chores. This results in fatigue and can negatively impact her relationship with her husband, making her more vulnerable to his anger and criticism regarding household responsibilities.
“Home is the place where everything begins and shapes behavior in human development. The later the intervention, the more problems it creates in their development as adults. The dynamics within the domestic sphere reflect the overall quality of the community. If discipline is enforced through physical punishment of both children and women, it becomes normalized at the community level, leaving children and women perpetually marginalized. It also shifts the blame onto them for not being able to tolerate the violent behavior of their fathers and husbands.”
