Palu – Cases of violence against women had not declined in Palu, Central Sulawesi, in the past seven years, mostly as a result of economic problems, an official said on Tuesday.
"Every year, the number reaches more than 100 cases. Most cases have economic causes," Palu Women's Empowerment and Family Planning Agency Head Irmayanti Pettalolo said.
As of November, Irmayanti said the number of cases of violence against women had reached 132 cases while last year, the number was 182 cases.
To overcome the problem, Irmayanti said her agency had set up a program that aimed to improve women's creativity and welfare to help them become more financially independent.