Give Children Space for Expression and Creation

The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection held a commemoration of World Children's Day on November 20th, Monday (20/11/2023), in Taman Impian Jaya Ancol and Dunia Fantasi.

The World Children's Day, which falls on November 20, was commemorated by the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection on Monday (20/11/2023) at Taman Impian Jaya Ancol and Dunia Fantasi. Several children who are accompanied by various child protection agencies were present at the event.

At the event, Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati invited children to attend directly at Taman Impian Jaya Ancol and Dunia Fantasi (Dufan) or attend online to rejoice together in celebrating World Children's Day 2023.

"Today we commemorate World Children's Day by providing space for children to express themselves during their leisure time and to create through various fun learning tools," said Bintang Darmawati in her speech.

The fulfillment of children's rights is a joint responsibility that cannot be carried out by one party alone.

The event themed "Children and the Future of the World, Raise Your Hope" was attended by children from Sekolah KAMI, Rumah Kitab, Save The Children, Child Fund, Jaringan Penghapusan Pekerja Anak (Jarak), ECPAT Indonesia, Wahana Visi Indonesia, and Forum Anak se-Jabodetabek. For this World Children's Day event, the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) collaborated with Dufan.

The Minister of PPPA invites all parties to pause for a moment of reflection. This is to remember that there are a number of people in other parts of the world who are sad, struggling to find justice, not getting protection, and living in fear that still afflicts them.

Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati, attended the World Children's Day celebration hosted by the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection on Monday (20/11/2023) at Taman Impian Jaya Ancol and Dunia Fantasi. Several children who are under the care of various child protection institutions also attended the event.

"Therefore, we must be grateful for the Indonesian nation that is united by Pancasila. We live in beautiful diversity, with the motto of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, different yet united," said Bintang Darmawati.

The star also reminded that fulfilling the rights of children is a shared responsibility. It cannot be carried out by only one party, the fulfillment of children's rights must be done by the central government, local government, business world, and community institutions, including the media.

Child-friendly elections

On the occasion, the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection also reminded that this year's World Children's Day coincides with the political excitement ahead of the 2024 democratic election. Alongside World Children's Day, the minister signed a Joint Circular Letter on the Conduct of Child-Friendly General and Simultaneous Elections in 2024.

The SEB was signed by the Ministry of PPPA, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the General Election Supervisory Agency, the General Election Commission, and the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI). "This is a form of the state's presence in protecting you, Indonesian children, by creating a child-friendly democracy and elections," said Bintang Darmawati.

After signing the MoU on the Organization of the General Elections and Simultaneous Elections in 2024 that are Child-Friendly, on the same day the Ministry of Women Empowerment and Child Protection held a Declaration and Dissemination of the MoU, Monday (20/11/2023) in Jakarta.

As for the purpose of SEB, it is to protect and fulfill children's rights by not exploiting them. SEB also aims to provide political education and access to information for young voters under the age of 18 in order to ensure a child-friendly conduct of the simultaneous 2024 elections for public officials and regional leaders.

In the SEB, participants of the 2024 simultaneous elections, including governors, regents/mayors, and the public, are required to make efforts to ensure the success of the child-friendly elections. There are several provisions in the SEB, including prohibiting certain actions related to children.

For example, not involving children in campaign activities and/or other activities to gain support for election participants in the 2024 simultaneous elections, except for children who already have the right to vote. In addition, not misusing or falsifying children's identities to be included in the voter list and not misusing children's facilities - such as playgrounds and educational units, except for universities in accordance with regulations - for campaign purposes.

The children of the students also witnessed the socialization of the 2024 election at the Al-Fatah Islamic Boarding School in Temboro, Magetan, East Java, on Thursday (26/10/2023).

Not involving children in the making of photos, videos, or other display materials used as campaign material disseminated through print, electronic, digital, and other media.

Chairwoman of KPAI, Ai Maryati Solihah stated that one of the things emphasized in SEB is to ensure that all interests, especially the organizers of the election, become pioneers, committed to providing support for healthy information and participation in the early voting age.

"Among them is providing protection against any attempts at manipulation, mobilization, exploitation, and misuse of politics against children. This is very important, in relation to World Children's Day," he said.

After signing the SEB on the organization of simultaneous general elections and regional head elections in 2024 that are child-friendly, on the same day the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection immediately held a declaration and dissemination of the SEB.

The declaration was led directly by Deputy for Special Protection of Children at the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Nahar. Prior to this, dissemination was conducted by inviting speakers such as Andi Krisna, Head of the Legal Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Bureau at the General Secretariat of the General Election Commission (KPU); Sylvana Maria Apituley (Commissioner of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission); La Bayoni (Deputy for Technical Support at Bawaslu); and Muhammad Ihsan, Assistant Deputy for Policy Formulation for Child Protection at the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA).

On World Children's Day, the launch of the Mental and Psychosocial Support Policy (Speak Your Mind) collaboration between the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection and UNICEF was also carried out.

After signing the SEB on the organization of simultaneous general elections and regional head elections in 2024 that are child-friendly, on the same day the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection immediately held a declaration and dissemination of the SEB.

The declaration was led directly by Deputy for Special Protection of Children at the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Nahar. Prior to this, dissemination was conducted by inviting speakers such as Andi Krisna, Head of the Legal Advocacy and Dispute Resolution Bureau at the General Secretariat of the General Election Commission (KPU); Sylvana Maria Apituley (Commissioner of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission); La Bayoni (Deputy for Technical Support at Bawaslu); and Muhammad Ihsan, Assistant Deputy for Policy Formulation for Child Protection at the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA).

https://www.kompas.id/baca/english/2023/11/20/en-berikan-anak-ruang-ekspresi-dan-kreasi?open_from=Section_English