Institutional Strengthening in the Prevention of Child Marriage in East Kolaka

Abstract

The objective of this study is to assess the enhancement of the institutional capacity of the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Service (DP3A) in East Kolaka Regency in effectively executing Regent's Regulation No. 8 of 2019, which specifically targets the prevention of child marriage. The study is motivated by the prevalent occurrence of child marriage in East Kolaka Regency, which is associated with elevated rates of maternal death, divorce, and domestic violence. The methodology employed was a descriptive approach with a qualitative analysis. The collection of primary data involved conducting interviews with employees of DP3A in East Kolaka, while secondary data was gathered from existing research, media sources, journals, and relevant legislation. The findings highlight various obstacles to enhancing the DP3A institution, such as a deficiency in providing personnel with training on preventing child marriage. Furthermore, the study highlights that a lack of adequate financial resources and a lack of strong and comprehensive collaboration with relevant organizations are significant obstacles in the efforts to avoid child marriage in East Kolaka. These findings offer valuable perspectives for enhancing future programs aimed at preventing child marriage