Jakarta (ANTARA) – Increasing use of social media has uncovered cases of violence against women, said the Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Welfare, Bintang Puspayoga.

“The use of social media has helped uncover various cases of violence against women,” she said during a webinar available from here on Tuesday.

According to data from the Online Information System for the Protection of Women and Children (Simponi-PPA), during the period 2019-2021 there was an increase in reports of cases of violence against women and children. children, noted the minister.

The increase in reports reflects people starting to step up and report such cases, she said.

In commemoration of International Women’s Day, the minister asked university students to be courageous in the fight against violence.

She said her ministry released the 2021 National Survey of Women’s Life Experiences (SPHPN) in December.

The survey showed that 26.1% or 1 in 4 women in the age group of 15 to 64 suffered the brunt of physical and sexual violence committed by partners and non-partners in 2021, it said. she pointed out.

“Even though the prevalence of violence has decreased, the number of (cases of) violence against women and children remains of great concern,” she said.

Additionally, the 2021 National Survey of Child and Adolescent Life Experiences (SNPHAR) showed that more girls experience one or more types of violence throughout their lives than boys.

Related news: Women prone to violence due to gender inequality: Ministry

“These data also remind us that we still have a long way to go (to eradicate violence),” Puspayoga remarked.

Earlier, the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) revealed that it recorded 338,496 cases of gender-based violence (GBV) against women in 2021, based on data compiled by Komnas Perempuan, service institutions and organs of the religious court system (Badilag).

“A significant increase, in particular of 50%, has been recorded in the number of cases of gender-based violence against women, with 338,496 cases (recorded) in 2021, (up) compared to 226,062 cases in 2020”, said Komnas Perempuan Vice President Olivia C. dit Salampessy.

Related News: Commission outlines factors that impede addressing gender-based violence