Indonesian govt to realize Indonesian children`s voices: Minister

Womens Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Yohana Yambise has said her ministry will realize the Voices of Indonesian Children, a list of appeals made by the children and conveyed by the National Forum of Children during the commemoration of the National Childrens Day observed every July 23.

"The Indonesian Childrens Voices are akin to the homework that the government must do in cooperation with other partners," the minister stated here on Saturday at an event to observe the Day.

The 2016 Indonesian Childrens Voices comprised 12 points with a call to protect them from sex crimes, an issue that topped the list.

"Protect us from every form of sex crimes, and impose severe punishment against the perpetrators," the first point in the appeals made by children read.

The second point referred to the need to "sign the FCTC (Framework Convention on Tobacco Control), and the third urged the government to "make us stay away from illicit drugs."

The other nine points are: "make our schools and curriculum child friendly right up to remote areas�; "protect us from getting married too young"; "involve us, listen to us, and fulfill our aspirations and ensure our participation"; stop exploitation and discrimination"; "show child-worthy TV programs"; "protect us from any form of pornography, pornoaction, and sexual deviance"; "facilitate and improve services for birth certificate issuance"; "build public facilities for children with disability"; and "build child friendly playgrounds."

Indonesia observes the National Childrens Day every June 23 to remind every element in the community that children are the most valuable blessing that have to be protected jointly, and that children are the younger generation that will determine the future of the nation.

The Days theme this year is "Stop Violence Against Children" as sexual assaults and violence against children are quite rampant in this country.

Besides, the Womens Empowerment and Child Protection Ministry focused on three issues - sexual violence, child marriage and child prostitution, as it commemorated the Day this year.

The government backed events for commemoration of the Childrens Day were centered in Mataram, West Nusa Tenggara Province, because the province witnesses a large number of child marriages.

A declaration against child marriage was the subject of a campaign in 19 districts and cities of West Nusa Tenggara during the commemoration day.

In the meantime, Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Children Protection Commission, Susanto, expressed his hope in Jakarta that the National Childrens Day will add momentum to intensify efforts for protection of children including when they are in school.

Source: ANTARA