Indonesia Urges Child-Centered Policies Based on Children's Voices

Indonesia is prioritizing child-centered policies, ensuring that the voices and aspirations of children form the bedrock of policy development and program implementation. Veronica Tan, the Deputy Minister for Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), emphasized this crucial approach, stating that the government must actively listen to children's needs.

"We want to hear children's aspirations directly. No child should be left behind because every child has the right to benefit from development," Veronica said during the SAPA Exploration event in East Jakarta. This initiative aims to bridge the gap between policymakers and children, ensuring that development efforts are inclusive and responsive to the youngest members of society.

“

We want to hear children's aspirations directly. No child should be left behind because every child has the right to benefit from development.

During the SAPA Exploration event, Veronica engaged in dialogue with approximately 90 children, discussing their access to education, play spaces, and local child protection services. The program, an acronym for Sambang (Visit), Ajak (Invite), Pantau (Monitor), and Apresiasi (Appreciate), provides a vital platform for direct government engagement with children. It serves to gather their perspectives, monitor the fulfillment of their rights, and observe the state of child protection services on the ground.

This effort is part of the commemoration of the 42nd National Children's Day in 2026. The Ministry is also urging strengthened collaboration through the National Movement for Safe and Comfortable Spaces for Children (Gernas RANA). This program seeks to foster synergy among government, communities, businesses, media, families, and other stakeholders to create an environment free from violence, exploitation, discrimination, and neglect, ensuring equal opportunities for all children to grow, learn, play, and achieve their dreams.

“

I urge all parties to continue to provide an environment free from all forms of violence, exploitation, discrimination, and neglect. Let's ensure that every child has equal opportunities to grow, learn, play, and achieve their dreams. Child protection is not solely the government's responsibility, but the responsibility of all elements of society.