Institutional Strengthening in the Prevention of Child Marriage in East Kolaka

objective of


INTRODUCTION
Children are an essential component of the human life cycle and play a pivotal role in the long-term viability of a nation and state 1.Children, as future leaders, require assurances of optimal growth and development, which include both physical and mental components 2. Child protection is of utmost importance in this situation, with the state actively ensuring the rights of children, as stated in the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia, national and international laws, and the endorsement of the Child Rights Convention through Presidential Decree No. 36 of 1990 3. This requires every component of the state to contribute to the protection of children and the fulfillment of their rights.
An important challenge that jeopardizes the realization of children's rights is the prevalence of child marriage, which exhibits an upward trend in the East Kolaka Regency.The practice of child marriage has a significant impact on both the well-being of individuals and the stability of families and communities 4. According to the amendment made by Law No. 16 of 2019 in the Republic of Indonesia, marriage is only allowed when both men and women have attained the age of 19 years, as stated in Law No. 1 of 1974 on Marriage 5.The local administration in East Kolaka Regency has addressed this matter by implementing East Kolaka Regent's Regulation No. 8 of 2019, which aims to prevent child marriage.
Early marriage during childhood can result in a range of issues, including emotional, psychological, and social challenges, often culminating in divorce and domestic abuse 6.Early marriage, viewed through a sociological lens, has the potential to disturb family unity as a result of volatile emotions and underdeveloped cognitive abilities 7. Hence, it is imperative to take measures to avoid child marriage, which necessitates the implementation of policies, programs, activities, social initiatives, and other endeavors by both national and local governments, communities, and all relevant parties involved 8.The factors contributing to child marriage in East Kolaka Regency range from the economic status of families to the limited levels of education.Impoverished families frequently resort to marrying off their children as a means of reducing financial hardships, with the lack of education exacerbating this inclination 9.The prevalence of child marriage in East Kolaka Regency is significantly influenced by this circumstance, as evidenced by the 2021 statistical data on child marriage in Southeast Sulawesi Province.
The prevailing circumstances contribute to a significant prevalence of child marriage in East Kolaka Regency, which is consistent with a larger trend observed in Southeast Sulawesi Province.To enhance the comprehensiveness of this research, pertinent statistical data is revealed to offer a more profound contextual understanding.The following data presents the prevalence of child marriage among women aged 15 and above in different regions and cities within Southeast Sulawesi Province, together with the age at which they first got married in the year 2021.This data provides an accurate representation of the frequency of early marriage in the region and serves as a crucial foundation for conducting additional research on the effects of child marriage prevention measures adopted by the local government.
Table 1.The examination of the data above reveals a significant prevalence of child marriage in multiple regencies within Southeast Sulawesi Province, with East Kolaka serving as a particularly notable illustration.In East Kolaka, around 21.40% of children below the age of 16 have encountered early marriage, while 21.54% have experienced it between the ages of 17 and 18 and 19.03% between the ages of 19 and 20.The research substantiates that East Kolaka exhibits a notable prevalence of child marriages, necessitating an urgent focus on preventive and intervention measures.
This statistic serves the purpose of not only offering a comprehensive picture of the present situation but also aiding in the assessment of the efficacy of existing policies and the identification of areas that require additional attention and intervention.This study seeks to provide more effective solutions to solve the issue of child marriage in Southeast Sulawesi by gaining a deeper comprehension of the prevailing conditions.
The East Kolaka Regency administration has enacted Regent's Regulation No. 8 of 2019, which specifically aims to safeguard children's rights and provide protection against child marriage 11.Nevertheless, the prevalence of underage marriage in the region suggests difficulties in enforcing this restriction 12.One element that contributes to child marriage is the practice of free association, combined with parents' insufficient comprehension of the adverse consequences 13.This underscores the significance of the East Kolaka Regency Government's need for more comprehensive socialization, specifically through the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Service (DP3A), to enhance institutional endeavors in tackling this matter.
From an academic standpoint, the notion of institutional strengthening, sometimes known as 'capacity development', is a multifaceted domain with diverse definitions 14.Capacity building, refers to the deliberate actions taken to improve the strategies that aim to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of government performance 15.Capacity building is a continuous process that entails improving the capacities of individuals, organizations, or institutions 16.
Institutional strengthening involves five primary dimensions: organization, human resources, finance, infrastructure, and cooperation 17.To effectively enhance the DP3A institution in East Kolaka Regency, it is necessary to improve the skills and capacities of employees through activities such as socialization, coordination, facilitation, education, training, and program synergy.Institutional strengthening should also include the development of strategies that address organizational aspects, resources, services, and cooperation 18.
Capacity development, sometimes known as 'capacity building', is a significant idea in the context of enhancing institutional strength 19.This definition encompasses the continual improvement of individual, organizational, or institutional capabilities, which is not a singular occurrence but a constant and continuing endeavor.Capacity building as an internal process that can be strengthened through external aid, such as donor support 20.
Ccapacity building as a set of techniques that target the enhancement of an organization or institution's performance in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, and responsiveness.Katty Sessions defines 'capacity building' as the collective endeavors aimed at supporting governments, communities, and individuals in acquiring the necessary knowledge and abilities to accomplish their objectives.Capacity development programs are typically created to enhance skills in assessing policy alternatives and executing choices efficiently.This may involve activities such as education and training, institutional and legal reforms, as well as scientific, technological, and financial support.Identifies five primary aspects of institutional strengthening: A. Organization: ensuring a proficient framework that facilitates the accomplishment of objectives.B. Human Resources: Possessing: Enhancing and expanding the human workforce by improving their skills and knowledge through training and integration into society.C. Finance refers to the availability of sufficient funds allocated to carry out tasks and attain objectives.D. Infrastructure refers to the physical and organizational structures that are in place to facilitate the performance of functions and the attainment of goals.E. Cooperation: participating in collaborative efforts or organizing activities with external entities of the organization.
To ensure successful performance in preventing child marriage, it is necessary to focus on capacity building in the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Service (DP3A) of East Kolaka Regency, with a specific emphasis on institutional strengthening.
Stressing the importance of improving institutional capacity is crucial for raising the efficacy of the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Service (DP3A) in East Kolaka Regency.This involves improving employees' talents through socialization, coordination, facilitation, education, and training, as well as fostering program synergies.The objective of these efforts is to ensure that DP3A can have the greatest possible impact on addressing the issue of child marriage.Furthermore, developing plans to enhance the capacity of institutions by addressing organizational elements, resources, services, and cooperation is an essential stage in this process.
This article examines research that portrays the situations and dynamics taking place in DP3A of East Kolaka Regency about enhancing institutional capacity.It is crucial to guarantee that this institution can efficiently carry out the requirements of legislation and regional rules about the prevention of child marriage.To effectively combat child marriage, DP3A must establish strong partnerships with relevant institutions and the local community.Community engagement in actively preventing early marriage is crucial, as the community plays a direct role and is directly impacted by this issue.Hence, it is imperative to examine the vital component of empowering and actively engaging the community to prevent child marriage.

LITERATURE REVIEW
To effectively prevent child marriage in East Kolaka, a comprehensive approach that focuses on enhancing institutional capacity is necessary.Effective institutional strengthening involves five primary aspects: organization, human resources, financing, infrastructure, and cooperation 21.Capacity building is crucial for improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness.Capacity development pertains to the ongoing improvement of both human and institutional capabilities.

-Effects of Child Marriage
Studies on child marriage have uncovered its wide-ranging detrimental effects.Several significant concerns associated with early marriage, such as heightened susceptibility to domestic violence, reproductive health complications, and poverty 22.These conclusions emphasize the significance of focused interventions and policies aimed at preventing child marriage, not just as a matter of human rights but also as a matter of public health and economic value.
Child marriage, defined as a formal marriage or informal union before the age of 18, has profound and lasting effects on children, particularly on girls, and societies at large.It is a violation of human rights that denies children the opportunity to reach their full potential, disrupts their education, and puts their health and well-being at significant risk.Child brides are often forced to leave school, which limits their opportunities for career and vocational advancement and leaves them financially dependent.The lack of education and economic opportunities contributes to a cycle of poverty that can persist across generations.Health consequences of child marriage are severe and can include early pregnancy, increased risk for sexually transmitted infections, higher rates of maternal and infant mortality, and mental health issues like depression and anxiety.Girls who marry young are often not physically mature enough to bear children, leading to complications during pregnancy and childbirth, which are among the leading causes of death for girls aged 15 to 19 in developing countries.Additionally, these young brides are at greater risk of experiencing domestic violence and have less ability to negotiate safe sexual practices and family planning.
The societal impacts of child marriage are equally detrimental.It perpetuates gender inequalities and hinders economic development.Communities with high rates of child marriage often have lower levels of literacy and education among women, which affects the overall socio-economic status of the community.Furthermore, child marriage undermines efforts to reduce poverty and achieve gender equality, as stipulated in the Sustainable Development Goals.To effectively tackle the issue, governments, nongovernmental organizations, and communities must work together to enforce laws against child marriage, provide educational opportunities for girls, and raise awareness about the harmful effects of child marriage on individuals and society as a whole.

-The Significance of Community Engagement in Preventive Measures
The implementation of rules, such as Regent's Regulation No. 8 of 2019 in East Kolaka, plays a crucial role in preventing child marriage.The efficacy of a comprehensive strategy that incorporates education, economic empowerment, and the reformation of social norms 23.Moreover, active participation of the community and cooperation amongst different sectors are regarded as crucial in the prevention of child marriage.
Community engagement plays a pivotal role in the effectiveness of preventive measures across various public health and safety domains 24.It is a strategy that involves the active participation and empowerment of community members in planning, decision-making, and implementation processes related to their health and well-being.By leveraging the unique insights, experiences, and resources of the community, these initiatives can be more culturally sensitive, relevant, and sustainable.When individuals feel that they have a stake in their health and safety, they are more likely to adopt and adhere to preventive behaviors, contributing to the overall resilience and capacity of the community to tackle health challenges.
In the context of public health, community engagement is crucial for the successful implementation of preventive measures such as vaccination campaigns, disease surveillance, and health education programs.It helps in building trust between health professionals and community members, which is essential for the dissemination of accurate information and for combating misinformation.Engaging communities in the planning and execution of health initiatives ensures that interventions are tailored to meet the specific needs and preferences of the community, thereby increasing their effectiveness.For example, in the fight against infectious diseases like COVID-19, community-led initiatives have been instrumental in increasing testing, promoting vaccination, and enforcing public health guidelines.
Beyond health, community engagement in preventive measures also extends to areas such as crime prevention and environmental protection.It fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members towards their environment and each other, leading to more proactive and preventive approaches to addressing potential issues.By involving community members in identifying risks, developing strategies, and monitoring progress, efforts to mitigate these risks are more likely to be successful.In sum, community engagement enhances the sustainability and impact of preventive measures, making it a critical component in the promotion of public health, safety, and overall well-being.

-Summary and Prospects for Further Investigation
This literature review emphasizes the necessity for a thorough evaluation of the efficacy of current policies and programs despite efforts made to tackle the problem of child marriage.Additional investigation is necessary to evaluate the precise influence of policies in East Kolaka and to determine the elements that facilitate or impede policy implementation.Gaining a deeper comprehension of these processes will aid in the creation of prevention methods that are both more efficient and enduring.
The literature review underscores the critical need for a comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness of existing policies and programs aimed at combating child marriage 25.Despite various efforts to address this global issue, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of how these policies perform in specific contexts, such as in East Kolaka.The review suggests that a detailed evaluation of these policies' impacts is essential.This involves assessing not only their direct outcomes on reducing instances of child marriage but also their broader societal effects.Such an analysis would provide valuable insights into the mechanisms through which these policies achieve their goals, and whether they are successfully reaching the populations most at risk.Further investigation is urged to pinpoint the factors that either support or hinder the successful implementation of anti-child marriage policies in regions like East Kolaka.This entails a deep dive into the local socio-economic, cultural, and political landscapes that could affect policy effectiveness.Understanding these contextual dynamics is crucial for identifying barriers to policy enforcement and community acceptance.Moreover, it is necessary to explore how these policies are perceived by the communities they aim to serve, as community buy-in is often a critical determinant of a policy's success.This level of analysis can reveal insights into how policies can be adapted or designed to better align with local contexts and needs, thereby enhancing their effectiveness.
Looking ahead, the review highlights the importance of developing more effective and sustainable prevention strategies against child marriage, informed by the findings of such in-depth investigations.This involves not just refining existing policies but also innovating new approaches that are grounded in empirical evidence and local realities.The future of combating child marriage lies in tailored, community-driven solutions that address the root causes of the issue, including gender inequality, poverty, and lack of education.By integrating the lessons learned from comprehensive evaluations and further research, policymakers, NGOs, and community leaders can forge more resilient and impactful strategies to eradicate child marriage and support the development of more equitable and prosperous societies.

METHODOLOGY
This paper is grounded in descriptive qualitative research, employing a qualitative analysis methodology to analyze the data 26.This qualitative research was conducted under the postpositivism theory, in which the researcher plays a crucial role as the main instrument.The research took place in real-life settings.Qualitative research is characterized by induction and prioritizes the interpretation of meaning rather than generalization 27.
The data in this study was gathered through the means of observation, indepth interviews, and analysis of various sources such as documents, journals, books, legislation, and reports.Data collection took place between October 2022 and February 2023 at the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Service (DP3A) in East Kolaka Regency, Southeast Sulawesi.This study involved the selection of nine informants, who were employees of the Office of Women Empowerment and Child Protection.The informants included AM, who served as the Head of Service; NS, who worked as a Secretary; ST, who held the position of Head of Women's and Children's Rights Protection Division; SM, who served as the Treasurer; MT, who was the Head of Mowewe Religious Affairs Office; and four representatives from the community.
The process of data analysis was conducted interactively and continuously, both during and after the data collection phase 28.It encompasses data reduction, data display, and conclusion.Data validity testing was performed using multiple methodologies, such as a credibility test to assess the reliability of the data, transferability to ensure its validity, dependability to verify the consistency of the results, and confirmability to test the study findings about the conducted process.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This article discusses the state of DP3A in East Kolaka Regency as it strives to enhance its institution to comply with legislation and regional rules aimed at preventing or minimizing child marriage.DP3A in East Kolaka Regency, as a crucial organization in the effort to prevent child marriage, must establish partnerships with relevant institutions and actively engage the community.The community, being a social entity that directly encounters challenges in its surroundings, should be given the authority to engage in the prevention of child marriage actively.The objective of this study is to examine the enhancement of the institutional capacity of the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Service (DP3A) in East Kolaka Regency, specifically about the prevention of child marriage.The approach employed is based on the five theoretical dimensions put forth by Deborah Eade (as mentioned in Mutiarin, 2014).DP3A in East Kolaka Regency was established in the organizational dimension by Regent's Regulation No. 52 of 2016.This rule prescribes the position, organizational structure, tasks, functions, and working methods of DP3A.Mr. NS, the Secretary of DP3A, provided a concise overview of DP3A, which encompasses three primary areas: safeguarding the rights of women and children, promoting gender equality, and ensuring the fulfillment of child rights.In addition, Mr. AM, the Head of DP3A, who is 85 years old, stated that Regent's Regulation No. 8 of 2019 exists about the prevention of child marriage in East Kolaka.DP3A has established Technical Implementation Units (UPTD) and assisted in the development of village regulations to combat child marriage proactively by this law.Nevertheless, there remain obstacles to achieving Universal Primary Teacher Development (UPTD) throughout all regions of East Kolaka Regency.As indicated by interviews with Mrs. WR (49 years old) and Mrs. SW (19 years old), there needs to be more community understanding regarding the existence of UPTD and the role and function of DP3A.In addition, the limited public awareness of DP3A is seen in the scarcity of community reports concerning occurrences of child marriage.Mrs. ST, a 45-yearold individual who holds the position of Head of the Women's and Children's Rights Protection Division, expressed that the department encounters challenges in immediately addressing instances of child marriage.This is mostly due to the limited number of reports received from the community.Regarding human resources, DP3A in East Kolaka Regency employs a total of 42 individuals, comprising 18 government servants (PNS) and 24 non-permanent employees.The workforce consists of 16 male employees and 26 female employees who possess diverse educational backgrounds (see Table 2).Nevertheless, there needs to be more improvement in improving the technical proficiency of personnel, particularly regarding safeguarding and preventing child marriage.
Table 2. DP3A Staff Source: General Affairs and Personnel Subdivision 2022 The data presented indicates that DP3A had sufficient resources, which are organized into three divisions and supported by UPTD established in several villages, as reported by Mr. AM (58 years old), the Head of the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Service, during the interview.Nevertheless, the current resources need to align with the improved technical capabilities since there remains a shortage of professionals who have received specialized education and training in the safeguarding and prevention of child marriage.
DP3A encounters fiscal constraints in implementing its programs within the financial realm.The 2021 budget was allocated as follows: IDR 111,199,000.00for enhancing institutional gender mainstreaming and child protection; IDR 72,000,000 for safeguarding women and children's rights; and IDR 64,100,000 for enhancing the well-being of women (as stated in the DP3A-PPKB East Kolaka Regency Work Plan 2021).This budget constraint constrains DP3A's capacity to carry out socialization and child protection-related activities.
The examination of the budget allocation for the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Service (DP3A) in East Kolaka Regency indicates substantial constraints in funding.Given the expansive scope of DP3A's operations, the funding allocation at hand is notably limited.This occurrence is a prevalent issue when it comes to implementing government programs, especially for agencies such as DP3A that operate at the regency level.As an illustration, the Child Protection Agency in East Kolaka Regency does not directly receive a budget from the Regional Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBD) of the regency.This has led the DP3A to explore alternate financing sources, such as grants from the provincial APBD.
The funding constraint has a direct influence on DP3A's operational activities, particularly in the areas of socialization and child protection.Mrs. ST, the director of the division responsible for protecting the rights of women and children, emphasizes this matter in her work.She disclosed that she had organized socialization activities multiple times without utilizing DP3A's funding.Mrs. ST explained that she had to depend on facilities provided by Wahana Visi or use her funds to participate as a speaker in various socialization activities.This was because there was no dedicated budget allocated for preventing child marriage.Therefore, these activities still relied on general programs that addressed children's issues.
Regarding the infrastructure for the Institutional Strengthening Programme of the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Service (DP3A) in Preventing Child Marriage in East Kolaka, there are sufficient facilities to support operational activities.Mr. AM, the Head of DP3A, states that the existing infrastructure, which includes communication equipment and network connectivity, adequately fulfills the department's fundamental requirements.He stated that the provincial government has provided the infrastructure for the DP3A office, which includes computers and internet networks.Each work division has three computers, and there is an extra computer in the secretary's and treasurer's rooms.These computers are meant to aid in the management of institutional programs.Furthermore, there are specialized vehicles called ' molin' (protection car) and 'trolin' (protection motorbike) for picking up victims, although they are not used for socialization purposes.
Furthermore, Mrs. SM, who serves as the Treasurer of DP3A, emphasized an additional feature of the existing infrastructure.She underscored that while amenities such as computers and specialized vehicles have expedited the workflow, there are constraints in accessing remote regions."The primary obstacle lies in the insufficient availability of internet connectivity in remote villages, rendering the use of computers as a means of communication ineffective," stated Mrs. SM.This situation illustrates the challenges of accessing rural areas, where instances of child marriage tend to be more prevalent.These access limits pertain to both cars used for socialization purposes and inadequate internet network infrastructure.
Within the framework of collaboration in the Institutional Strengthening of the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Service (DP3A) for the Prevention of Child Marriage in East Kolaka, the concept of cooperation is defined a collaborative process in which individuals come together, providing mutual support and reliance, to accomplish desired results 30.DP3A East Kolaka implements this collaboration by actively engaging the community and government in many initiatives to enhance the institution and combat child marriage.
DP3A East Kolaka and Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) engage in a noteworthy collaboration.The objective of this collaboration is to enhance the program's effects in the domains of education, social welfare, culture, and economy.Mr. AM, the leader of DP3A, stressed that this collaboration encompasses not just the local government and non-governmental organizations but also actively involves the community and stakeholders associated with the problem of child marriage.In addition, Mr AM declared that DP3A and the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (KemenPPPA) had partnered with WVI in Kolaka to aid in the prevention of child marriage.
Mrs. ST, the Head of Division at DP3A, explained the tangible implementation of this collaboration.She states that any socialization effort carried out in the field typically includes WVI."We have a close collaboration with WVI, focusing on both logistics and educating the community, including parents, about the consequences of early marriage," stated Mrs. ST.Furthermore, DP3A has implemented the Community-Based Integrated Child Protection Programme (PATBM) in multiple villages as part of this joint initiative.

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This study has comprehensively investigated the process of enhancing the institutional capacity of the Women Empowerment and Child Protection Service (DP3A) in East Kolaka Regency, with a specific focus on the prevention of child marriage.Based on the completed analysis, many crucial findings may be inferred: A. The foundation of DP3A has been effectively managed through municipal rules, which encompass the division of work fields and the creation of Technical Implementation Units (UPTD) to address specific concerns, such as child marriage.B. Resource constraints provide substantial obstacles for DP3A, particularly in terms of financial allocation and infrastructure, particularly when it comes to accessing remote regions.Budget constraints impact the execution of socialization initiatives and targeted interventions aimed at preventing child marriage.C. Infrastructure: While there is access to fundamental infrastructure such as computers and internet networks, there are challenges in effectively utilizing them, particularly in rural regions.