Realize the Protection and Fulfillment of Children's Rights

National Children's Day is a momentum and reflection for all parties to listen to children's voices. This is to ensure the protection and fulfillment of children's rights.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI.

MAWAR KUSUMA WKM

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin took a photo together at the National Children's Day Commemoration Summit in Semarang, Central Java on Sunday (23/7/2023), with the theme "Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia".

SEMARANG, KOMPAS - National Children's Day carries an important meaning as a form of respect, protection, and fulfillment of children's rights as the next generation of the nation. All parties according to their respective roles and capacities should prioritize and optimize child protection.

This call was conveyed by Vice President Ma'ruf Amin at the Peak Ceremony of National Children's Day 2023 in Semarang, Central Java, on Sunday (23/7/2023), with the theme "Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia". "Develop creative and innovative policies and programs. Ensure fulfillment of children's rights to live, grow, develop, and participate according to human dignity and status," said the Vice President.

He emphasized that all elements of the nation must ensure that children are protected from all forms of violence and discrimination. He also welcomed the reading of the Indonesian Children's Voice by the National Children's Forum as an aspiration in fighting for the fulfillment of Indonesian children's rights.

Also read: Voices of Indonesian Children Collected in Semarang

Before Vice President Amin delivered his speech and message to all Indonesian children, the National Children's Forum preceded in conveying the Voice of Indonesian Children. The voice, formulated during the National Children's Day 2023 event, was conveyed in the form of a traditional Nusantara dance theatrical performance.

In the "Voice of Indonesian Children," the National Children's Forum, representing the inputs of children from 38 provinces in Indonesia, formulated various things concerning the protection and fulfillment of children's rights.

MAWAR KUSUMA WULAN/KOMPAS

Children presented a theater performance while reading the Indonesian Children's Voice (SAI) in 2023, which was also called for by the National Children's Forum as a form of realization of the right to participate in the Peak Commemoration of National Children's Day in 2023 in Semarang, Central Java, on Sunday (23/7/2023), with the theme "Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia".

Several points were stated, including the fulfillment of children's identity rights. This relates to the request for children to have optimized socialization and easier access to the creation of birth certificates and children's identity cards.

The National Children's Forum also requests that every level of government can optimize the involvement and realize the role of children's participation in making public decisions. The aspirations of children in public spaces should not only be heard but also realized.

In addition, another highlight of the National Children's Forum is the fulfillment of children's rights to education, child-friendly facilities, the right to a healthy life, as well as protection from violence and child exploitation.

Also read: The Need for Fulfillment of Mother's Mental Health for the Growth and Development of Children

Listening to children

In response to this, Vice President Amin expressed that the Voice of Indonesian Children is a manifestation of children's right to be heard, their aspirations to be taken into account, and given the opportunity to participate in development. "My fellow children, you are the future leaders of the nation. Children must be healthy, smart, and great. In due time, you will continue to carry on the baton of leadership for this nation," he said.

MAWAR KUSUMA WULAN/KOMPAS

Vice President Ma'ruf Amin invites all elements of the nation to prioritize and optimize the implementation of child protection. This was revealed by the Vice President in his speech at the National Children's Day Celebration in 2023 in Semarang, on Sunday (23/7/2023), with the theme "Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia".

The Vice President affirmed that he had heard the voices of Indonesian children. "I will instruct all levels of government both in the center and the regions to listen to and implement the voices that you have conveyed," he added.

Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, stated that the protection and fulfillment of the rights of children in Indonesia are a shared responsibility.

National Children's Day is not just a celebration for fun, but a reminder that we still need to fight together for the rights and protection of Indonesian children.

The star mentioned that the awarding of child-friendly municipality/city and province will encourage the government in protecting and fulfilling children's rights.

Also read: Pursuing Fully Child Friendly Cities in Indonesia

"The National Children's Day is not just a celebration for having fun, but also a reminder that we still need to work together to fight for the rights and protection of Indonesian children," said Bintang.

Children's participation is strengthened

In addition, Bintang expressed that children's involvement in public participation will continue to be strengthened. He mentioned that the National Children's Forum is a platform for children to strengthen their capacity in various aspects. Thus, children have the capability to convey their voices effectively.

KOMPAS/NASRUN KATINGKA

The closing ceremony of the National Children's Forum 2023 was held at the Raden Saleh Cultural Park, Semarang, Central Java, on Saturday (22/7/2023).

On the other hand, children's involvement in development is guaranteed in Law Number 23 of 2002 which has been revised into Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Child Protection.

In addition, specifically, it has also been regulated in the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Regulation Number 1 of 2022 concerning Amendments to Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Regulation Number 18 of 2019 concerning the Implementation of Children's Forum.

The candy stated that children's participation is the involvement of children or groups of children to express their own opinions in accordance with human dignity. This opinion includes everything related to themselves and is carried out with the consciousness, understanding, and willingness of the child so that the child can enjoy the results or benefits.

Also read: Pursuing Indonesia's Child-Friendly Target 2030

"Each and every one of you is a great child with a lot of potential, the best successor of this nation. Therefore, never tire in spreading kindness and improving yourself because you are the future of Indonesia," said Bintang.

Meanwhile, the Governor of Central Java, Ganjar Pranowo, who is also one of the recipients of the Child-Friendly Province award, expressed his region's commitment to fulfilling and protecting children's rights. He revealed that the various things conveyed through the voices of children are real and honest issues seen by the children.

MAWAR KUSUMA WULAN/KOMPAS

Children performed the song and dance "Sapa 129" at the Peak of the Commemoration of National Children's Day 2023 in Semarang on Sunday (23/7/2023) with the theme "Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia".

"These ideas, said Ganjar, are hopes so that children can live comfortably and safely. Thus, this becomes a note for decision makers to ensure that various hopes for the children are achieved."

Since serving as governor, Ganjar has stated that children and two other groups, namely persons with disabilities and women, are the primary focus in decision-making. In every regional development plan discussion, these three groups are given priority in voicing their opinions.

"This is solely our push for decision makers to not be too masculine and to pay attention to these three groups that require affirmation," he said.