Violence Against Women and Girls: Understanding the Indonesian health system response

Project Details

Over the past two decades there has been a significant increase in the reporting of violence against women and girls (VAWG) in Indonesia. This reflects a positive shift in women’s willingness to report violence and the improved accessibility of the mechanisms for them to do so, aided by milestones such as the 1998 establishment of Komnas Perempuan (The Indonesian National Commission on Violence Against Women) by the Indonesian Government.

Women affected by violence are increasingly seeking medical care and assistance through the health system. The increased burden of care on the health system has not yet been measured. The support offered and roles performed by health workers, planners, and managers in response to VAWG has not been systematically investigated.

This project will foster multisectoral collaboration between university partners in Indonesia and Australia as well as government and non-government stakeholders responding to VAWG in Indonesia. This project will also develop methodologies to accurately map the complexity of health system responses to VAWG. Furthermore, this research will provide an improved understanding of how equipped the Indonesian health system and its work force are to respond to VAWG. Long-term benefits may also include improved support and more tailored health care for Indonesian women and girls affected by violence.

Researchers

Professor Linda Bennett

Chrissy Keenan

Collaborators

Professor Meiwita Budiharsana, University of Indonesia

Funding

This project has been funded by the Melbourne-Indonesia Research Partnership Program (MIRPP).