Banda Aceh News | BANDA ACEH — Speaker of the Banda Aceh Regional House of Representatives (DPRK), Irwansyah, has called upon female members of the Tuha Peut Gampong (TPG)—the traditional village-level legislative and advisory bodies—to assume a more proactive role in resolving pressing social issues, particularly domestic violence (KDRT), rising divorce rates, child protection, and family stability.
The call to action was delivered during a public hearing (RDP) gathering approximately 100 female TPG representatives spanning 90 villages across Banda Aceh. Held at the DPRK Assembly Building on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, the forum aimed to address systemic operational barriers facing women in grassroots governance.
The strategic session was attended by DPRK Banda Aceh member Syarifah Munira, alongside official delegations from the Banda Aceh Office for Women Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control, and Family Planning (DP3AP2KB) and the Village Community Empowerment Office (DPMG).
Addressing the assembly, Irwansyah highlighted that the institutional mandate entrusted to female TPG members has expanded significantly. Beyond managing household responsibilities, women leaders carry a civic obligation to actively deliberate on and resolve village-level societal crises.
According to Irwansyah, female board members hold a uniquely strategic position to address issues impacting family life, including domestic violence mitigation, divorce prevention, stunting reduction, child welfare, and community conflict resolution.
Overcoming Institutional Barriers in Village Governance
During the interactive hearing, several female participants voiced structural challenges encountered when exercising their oversight functions over village administrations (pemerintahan gampong). Multiple members reported facing gender-based dismissal, with critics asserting that female TPG representatives lack formal authority to manage village affairs.
Responding firmly, Irwansyah clarified the constitutional and administrative stature of the TPG, reiterating that the body functions as a localized legislative branch essential for transparent governance and development.
“The TPG is essentially the DPR at the village level. Therefore, perform your functions and duties in strict accordance with regulations, while maintaining synergy and coordination with the village executive leadership. Differences of opinion must not devolve into conflict; every dispute should be resolved through deliberation,” Irwansyah stated.
He emphasized that resolving social challenges at the village level directly supports the municipal government’s overarching agenda to accelerate urban development and enhance community welfare.
“If every village possesses the determination to resolve its own localized issues—such as stunting, domestic violence, neighborhood conflicts, and online gambling—when all village officials unite to tackle these problems, it naturally propels the city’s overall development,” he added.
Capacity Building and Legislative Support
Addressing legislative needs, female TPG members submitted formal requests for specialized capacity-building initiatives, including public speaking workshops, legal drafting training for village regulations, and comprehensive orientations regarding TPG statutory duties.
Irwansyah validated these requests, emphasizing that professional skill enhancement is vital for optimal performance. He officially instructed the Banda Aceh DPMG to organize targeted training programs specifically tailored for female TPG personnel.
Concluding the session, the DPRK Speaker pledged full parliamentary backing to secure resource allocations for these capacity-building initiatives, ensuring that female village representatives are fully empowered to drive sustainable progress across Banda Aceh.
