She said the civil marriage conciliatory body, which was first launched in the capital last year, led to the reconciliation of 16% of the 83 participating couples.

Nancy said some 33% agreed to attend marriage and family counselling sessions.

“This is a more effective way of managing divorces.

“The 16% is not just a figure. It also symbolises hope in restoring the family institution,” she said at the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the national registration department and the National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN).

Nancy said based on data by the statistics department, the number of divorces rose to 62,890 in 2022 from 43,936 recorded the year before.

However, in 2023, the number of divorces dropped to 57,835.

Of the total, the number of divorces among Muslim couples dipped by 3.9%, while divorces among non-Muslim couples dropped by 21.4%.

“This data shows that efforts to strengthen the family institution are bearing fruit, but our work isn’t done yet. And this is how this pilot project came about.”