Hundreds of cases of violence against women and children have been resolved thanks to a forum established by nuns 10 years ago in East Nusa Tenggara province.

“We handled the highest number of cases in 2007, when we helped resolve 132 cases of domestic violence and psychological, physical and sexual abuse, as well as human trafficking,” said Sister Sesilia.

The Servants of the Holy Spirit nun heads the Woman and Child Care Forum which was established in Belu district in the predominantly Catholic province.

The forum worked with local government and NGOs as well as religious and lay leaders in dealing with those cases, said the nun.

The organization also provides grassroots counseling and awareness programs on violence.

“Religious men and women should not just stay in convents. They should also care for problems faced by Catholics today, including protecting women and children,” she said.

Sister Sesilia was speaking with ucanews.com following a June 3-5 workshop on violence against women and children held in Halilulik town. The forum organized the workshop together with the Communion of Indonesian Nuns (IBSI) and the district’s Union of Religious Congregations.

More than 40 nuns from 16 congregations and four priests attended the program.

In this era of globalization, many people emigrate to seek a better life. This has however resulted in the increasing number of women and children being trafficked, said Sister Antonie Ardatin, who coordinates the IBSI’s Counter Women Trafficking Commission.

“This issue must be our common concern,” said the Daughters of Mary and Joseph nun.

Related reports
Religious leaders put trafficking in their sights
Church launches program to fight human trafficking

IJ09988.1605