REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SEMARANG -- Health Minister Nila F. Moeloek has appealed to parents to not consider reproductive health care education as a taboo subject in a bid to curb cases of sexual harassment and violence against children.

"We should not consider it as a taboo subject. We should explain to them the differences of being a male or female and other matters," Moeloek stated here on Tuesday.

According to the minister, it is important for children to understand all aspects of reproductive health and the related body organs.

Moeloek suggested that parents should be open to their children, particularly on matters related to sexual and reproductive health care.

"The effort is aimed at informing children what they can do and which actions they should not take. We can explain the differences between a man and woman," she affirmed.

Several cases of sexual violence against children were reported in recent weeks. Many of the cases resulted in fatality.

Moreover, some of the alleged offenders are still below 17 years or under age.

President Joko Widodo had characterized sexual violence as an extraordinary crime, which is on the same level as corruption, misuse of drugs, and terrorism.

The Indonesian government has also set Government Act No. 1 of 2016 that regulates the imposition of additional and onerous punishment on the perpetrators of sexual violence, including chemical castration, social punishment, and death penalty.

The punishment is intended to serve as a deterrent in future.

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