PPPA Ministry Affirms Wife's Conscience Soap Opera: Zahra Violates Children's Rights

Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Bintang Puspayoga (Photo: ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The polemic of the soap opera Suara Hati Zahra's wife, which was protested by netizens because the storyline forced LC (15 years old) to have an intimate scene with the male lead, namely Panji Saputra, who was 39 years old, received attention from the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA).

The PPPA Ministry stated that the soap opera Suara Hati Istri: Zahra that was broadcast was a form of violation of children's rights, in which a 15-year-old child was given the role of a third wife and polygamous. Warganet considers the soap opera as justifying the practice of pedophilia and forced early marriage.

Meanwhile, the government is currently struggling to prevent child marriage, so that every media in producing any product that involves children should still be based on child protection guidelines that underlie all child protection efforts.

“It is unfortunate that the soap opera does not pay attention to the principles of fulfilling children's rights and protecting children. Every broadcast must respect and uphold the rights of children and youth, and must consider the safety and future of children and/or youth," said Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Bintang Puspayoga in a statement received in Jakarta. , Thursday, June 3, quoted from ANTARA.

The material or content of an event, in accordance with the Broadcasting Code of Conduct and Broadcast Program Standards (P3&SPS), according to Minister Bintang, should support the government in efforts to fulfill children's rights and in the best interests of children.

“Any content that is broadcast by broadcast media should not only be viewed from an entertainment perspective, but must also provide information, educate, and benefit the community, especially for children. Every show must be child-friendly and protect children," he continued.

Minister Bintang emphasized that every program broadcast by electronic media such as television should support government programs and provide education to the public regarding prevention of child marriage, Trafficking in Persons (TPPO), prevention of sexual violence, and proper parenting education.

Meanwhile, parents of actors should also be wise in choosing the right role and selectively agree on the role that will be played by their child.

Minister Bintang said so far his party had coordinated with the Indonesian Broadcasting Commission (KPI).

"I appreciate the fast steps taken by KPI. The PPPA Ministry and KPI also agreed that in the near future they will hold a meeting with the production house to provide education related to women and child-friendly broadcasting," said Minister Bintang.

Sexual Violence Scene

Meanwhile, the Deputy for Child Special Protection at the PPPA Ministry, Nahar, said that from the results of a study conducted by the PPPA Ministry, it was found that several aspects had been violated in the production of the soap opera. The PPPA Ministry assessed that the private television broadcasting the program conveyed untruths.

"Regarding the role of the wife in this soap opera, which is played by a child-age player, this is a form of stimulation for early marriage which is contrary to government programs, especially Law Number 16 of 2019 concerning Marriage," said Nahar.

Nahar added that the soap opera also showed psychological violence in the form of shouts and curses from male actors, and forced sexual intercourse. The scene in the soap opera is considered to promote psychological and sexual violence against children which is contrary to Article 66C of Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection.

Nahar also warned that the show risks influencing the public to commit child marriage, sexual violence, and TIP, because in the show it is told that Zahra as the main character was married with the reason to pay off her family's debt.

"If a similar case is found in the field and after it has been dug up, the incident is a form of imitation of a show broadcast by Indosiar, then Indosiar can be punished according to the applicable laws and regulations," said Nahar.

This show will indirectly affect the psychological condition of the community and cause toxic masculinity, which will build social construction in society that men are identical with violence, sexually aggressive, and demeaning women.