Public Discussion on Child Marriage Prevention and Management Policy in Indramayu, Need for Special Regulations
INDRAMAYU-JAYA NEWS.COM – The high rate of child marriages in Indramayu Regency, especially unregistered ones, has raised concerns among all parties and requires a serious response. It was agreed that a specific regulation on the prevention and management of child marriages in Indramayu, either in the form of a Regional Regulation or a Regent Regulation, is needed.
This was emphasized in a Public Discussion on the theme “Child Marriage Prevention and Management Policy in Indramayu Regency,” organized by Lakpesdam and Fatayat NU Indramayu through the Lakpesdam PBNU Inclusion Program. The event took place at the BJB Hall in Indramayu, West Java, on Thursday (September 11, 2025).
Present as speakers were H. Edi Fauzi, SIP (Chairman of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction and member of Commission II of the Indramayu Regional People’s Representative Council), Imron Rosadi, SPdI (Member of Commission II of the PKB faction of the Indramayu Regional People’s Representative Council), Siti Hartati (BAPPEDA-LITBANG of Indramayu Regency), and Dewi Nurmalasari, S.HI., MA (Academic and Women’s Activist of Indramayu). The event was moderated by Tiana Jeanita, MPd from Women March Indramayu.
The event was attended by all stakeholders in Indramayu Regency, including representatives of the Regional Government from several relevant agencies, the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), service institutions, civil society organizations, religious leaders, community leaders, the media, and all elements of the Indramayu Regency community.
“We deliberately involved a wider range of stakeholders in this activity to ensure everyone agrees on the importance of seriously addressing child marriage in Indramayu, including the importance of establishing a binding policy through regulations,” explained Supriyatin, Field Coordinator of the Indramayu Inclusion Program.
The discussion resulted in an agreement that a specific regulation is needed to prevent and address child marriage in Indramayu Regency. This regulation could take the form of a Regional Regulation (Perda) or a Regent’s Regulation (Perbup) for its implementation.
The speakers, primarily from the legislative branch, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) factions of the Indramayu Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), expressed their readiness to follow up on the discussion’s findings to a more serious level, particularly in determining the policy outlined in the regulation.
“If a Perda is indeed necessary, we are ready to conduct further studies,” asserted H. Edi Fauzi, Head of the PDI-P Faction.
This discussion is expected to raise awareness and understanding of the importance of preventing and addressing child marriage in Indramayu Regency.
The discussion concluded with the reading and signing of a joint commitment on preventing and addressing child marriage in Indramayu Regency.
Content of the Joint Commitment of Indramayu Regency Stakeholders
We, the Regional Government, the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), service institutions, civil society organizations, religious leaders, community leaders, the media, and all elements of the Indramayu Regency community, with full awareness and responsibility:
Declare a Joint Commitment to:
• Enforce laws and regulations regarding the minimum age for marriage and implement regional policies that support the prevention of child marriage.
• Strengthen the role of families, communities, religious leaders, and traditional leaders in providing protection, education, and support for children.
• Improve access to and quality of education so that all children, especially girls, can complete a minimum of 12 years of education.
• Provide child-friendly protection services in the form of counseling, support, legal aid, and adolescent reproductive health services.
• Build cross-sectoral (multi-stakeholder) collaboration between the government, business community, academia, media, and civil society in prevention efforts.
• Implement ongoing campaigns and public education through mass media, social media, and community activities.
• Engage young people as agents of change through children’s forums, youth organizations, and youth groups at the village and school levels.
• Develop an integrated data system.**
Wari
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