National Children's Meeting 2024: Supporting Child Protection for Better Indonesia
The 2024 National Children's Day celebrations were filled with data presented by children to stakeholders in the capital city, Jakarta. As many as 45 children from 28 districts/cities assisted by WVI presented the results of their Child-Led Research on stunting and child marriage to representatives of the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA) and the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI).
As participants in the 2024 National Children's Meeting facilitated by WVI, the children had the opportunity to express their aspirations and the issues that occur in their areas. Della, a child representative from West Manggarai District, stated, "Many Indonesian children are stunted because their parents are still children themselves. We cannot take care of a child if we are still children ourselves."
Della feels that child marriage also destroys the dreams that a child has longed for since childhood. On the other hand, child marriage cases in her area are still considered a normal practice according to tradition and customs. Therefore, children in Manggarai hope for appropriate support so that the handling of this issue can reach all elements in the community.
"In my opinion, the ideal solution is to have village regulations related to child marriage that are in accordance with the President's directives. The government cannot work alone either, so we also invite children to work together to solve children's problems. The role of children as reporters, also actively inviting their friends to do good things," said Endah Sri Rejeki, Deputy for the Fulfillment of Civil Rights, Information, and Child Participation at the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection.
In addition to presenting and conveying aspirations to the national government, the 2024 National Children's Meeting was also a moment for capacity development. The children visited several national media offices such as Harian Kompas and SEA Today. This opportunity was very meaningful for the children because they could see firsthand how journalists or reporters process and broadcast news.
"The good thing I got is that I am more confident in speaking in public. I learned more about the dangers of child marriage and free sex. I am very happy to be able to meet friends from various regions, to meet directly with the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, and also to visit the Kompas office directly. I hope that I can share the knowledge that I have gained with my friends later in my village to further increase the knowledge of other friends," said Silvana, a child representative from Sigi District, Central Sulawesi.
Through activities like this, children increasingly understand the importance of child participation. How children's aspirations become a very important aspect in developing a nation. How children can advocate for the fulfillment of their rights, especially the right to live healthy and protected. Based on the National Child-Led Research data in 2024, 66% of adolescents still do not know that child marriage is related to stunting. The results of this research also show that 57% of adolescents stated that the government in their area has not provided education about the relationship between child marriage and stunting.
These health and child protection issues need to be highlighted and addressed seriously by all parties, including children. At the 2024 HAN moment, children have taken on the role of voicing these facts along with their recommendations. What role can we take to address this issue? Will we ignore and let this situation continue and keep the lives of every child in danger? Now is the time for us to take good action so that Children are Protected for Better Indonesia.
Author: Mariana Kurniawati (Communication Executive)
