IPB University Doctoral Degree Students in Family Studies Continue Advocacy for a Regional Regulation on Family Protection

Students from the Doctoral Program in Family Studies at IPB University, together with the GiGa Indonesia Association, held a hearing and advocacy session with Commission V of the West Java Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD Jabar).

The meeting discussed the urgency of the West Java regional regulation draft (raperda) on family protection from various threats and conditions that increase family vulnerability and crises.

The delegation was received by Commission V of the West Java Provincial DPRD and warmly welcomed by Hj Siti Muntamah, SAP, as Vice Chair, along with members Hj Elly Farida, SPd, Hj Lilis Nurlia, SPdI, MA, Humaira Zahron Noor, H Maulana Yusup Erwinsyah, and M Hasbullah Rahmad, SPd, MHum. Also present were the Chair of the Health Department, the West Java Provincial Development Planning Agency, the Department of Women’s Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control, and Family Planning (DP3AKB), and the Legal Bureau.

This hearing was also held as part of an in depth study of the Public Policy and Family course for Family Studies students. At a previous hearing, students proposed a draft regional regulation on family protection, coordinated by the GiGa Indonesia Association, and approved by 34 organizations in West Java.

“This form of synergy between academics, the community, and local government is considered key to formulating evidence-based policies that are responsive to the needs of families,” said Prof Euis Sunarti, a lecturer in the Public Policy and Family course at IPB University.

As a result of the meeting, Commission V of the West Java Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) accepted the proposals presented and designated the draft regional regulation on family protection as a legislative initiative. This decision marks a strategic step toward establishing a comprehensive legal framework to strengthen family resilience and well being in West Java.

During the hearing, Prof Euis Sunarti emphasized that family protection policies should be developed using an ecosystem based approach. “Family issues cannot be resolved in isolation. Families exist within an ecosystem that involves individuals, communities, institutions, and policies. Therefore, family protection policies must be designed holistically, integrally, and sustainably to address the root causes of these issues,” she stated.

Through this continued advocacy, it is hoped that the drafting process of the family protection draft regional regulation in West Java can soon proceed to a more in depth discussion phase, thereby producing a strong and implementable policy to support family development as the primary foundation of regional development. (*/Rz) (FHD/IAAS)