The Role Of The Family Learning Center (Puspaga) in Preventing Child Marriage (Case Study at The Community Empowerment, Women and Child Protection Office in Jambi City)

Abstract

This study analyzes the role of the Family Learning Center (PUSPAGA) in preventing child marriage in Jambi City, identifies the main challenges in its implementation, and examines the efforts undertaken to strengthen its services. This study employed a qualitative descriptive approach using a case study design at the Jambi City Community Empowerment, Women and Child Protection Office (DPMPPA). Data were collected through interviews, observations, and documentation involving PUSPAGA managers, family counselors, and service recipients. The findings indicate that PUSPAGA performs three principal roles: preventive-promotive, curative-mediative, and coordinating-referral. These roles are generally aligned with the mandate of Ministerial Regulation of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection No. 6 of 2023. However, their implementation remains constrained by limited service coverage, insufficient professional personnel, low public awareness, inadequate facilities and budgetary support, and suboptimal cross-sector coordination. The study also identifies several institutional responses, including expanding services to the sub-district level, developing online consultation services, strengthening public education, improving professional capacity, and enhancing coordination with relevant institutions. The findings suggest that PUSPAGA has an important institutional role in addressing the risk of child marriage, but its preventive function requires stronger service accessibility, institutional capacity, professional resources, and intersectoral collaboration. Strengthening these dimensions is essential to support more comprehensive and sustainable child marriage prevention in Jambi City.