Dian Kuswandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Mon, 07/21/2008 10:34 AM | National
Indonesian children have called on the government to immediately set up a special ministry tasked with improving child welfare.
Some 330 children from the country's 33 provinces gathered in Bogor to attend the six-day national congress on children's welfare ahead of National Children's Day, which falls on July 23.
"This year's congress highlights the urgency for the establishment of a child affairs ministry, as suggested by the child participants three years ago," National Commission for Child Protection Chairman Seto Mulyadi told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
"The idea of establishing a special ministry for children came purely from the children themselves," he added.
The participating children, aged between 12 and 18, ranged from street children to top-grade students. At the gathering, they exchanged ideas on what they would recommend to the government, and identified with one another's problems.
Seto said the children had been actively participating in the congress since Saturday, and although they were accompanied by parents and officials, the adults acted as spectators.
"According to them (the officials), the government's focus on child welfare has been divided into several ministries all this time, meaning that efforts have not been integrated," he said.
He said for example the Social Affairs Ministry aided street children and that children's health and education were the responsibility of the Health Ministry and the Education Ministry.
He said the children expected a single dedicated ministry would be able to effectively ensure their rights, including by addressing child abuse and exploitation.
He said the commission had received 1,098 child abuse reports in the first semester of the year, a total of 1,700 cases in 2007 and 1,100 cases in 2006.
"Of those cases, only 5 percent were brought to court," Seto said.
He also said television shows were guilty of exploiting children.
"In many cases, parents see their children's talents as opportunities to generate money," he said, citing as examples soap operas, singing contests and religious shows.
"Television producers have financially benefited from children's shows, which have achieved high ratings and attracted many sponsors and advertisements.
"The media industry has exploited children, telling them to dress in adults' costumes, wear make-up and sing adult songs."
He said those children were forced to grow up too fast and experience the stressful routines of adult life.
"Their new identities as child stars would limit their freedom and change their behaviors. They could become arrogant and temperamental. This would affect their communication with others," he said.
The children will also discuss "child freedom" during the congress, he said, adding that there was scope for the children to launch a national anti-cruelty to children campaign.
"Their final statement will be addressed to the government, parents, teachers and others, including the media industry," Seto said, adding that the address would also be made in front of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as part of the commemoration of National Children's Day.
Indonesian children have called on the government to immediately set up a special ministry tasked with improving child welfare.
Some 330 children from the country's 33 provinces gathered in Bogor to attend the six-day national congress on children's welfare ahead of National Children's Day, which falls on July 23.
"This year's congress highlights the urgency for the establishment of a child affairs ministry, as suggested by the child participants three years ago," National Commission for Child Protection Chairman Seto Mulyadi told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.
"The idea of establishing a special ministry for children came purely from the children themselves," he added.
The participating children, aged between 12 and 18, ranged from street children to top-grade students. At the gathering, they exchanged ideas on what they would recommend to the government, and identified with one another's problems.
Seto said the children had been actively participating in the congress since Saturday, and although they were accompanied by parents and officials, the adults acted as spectators.
"According to them (the officials), the government's focus on child welfare has been divided into several ministries all this time, meaning that efforts have not been integrated," he said.
He said for example the Social Affairs Ministry aided street children and that children's health and education were the responsibility of the Health Ministry and the Education Ministry.
He said the children expected a single dedicated ministry would be able to effectively ensure their rights, including by addressing child abuse and exploitation.
He said the commission had received 1,098 child abuse reports in the first semester of the year, a total of 1,700 cases in 2007 and 1,100 cases in 2006.
"Of those cases, only 5 percent were brought to court," Seto said.
He also said television shows were guilty of exploiting children.
"In many cases, parents see their children's talents as opportunities to generate money," he said, citing as examples soap operas, singing contests and religious shows.
"Television producers have financially benefited from children's shows, which have achieved high ratings and attracted many sponsors and advertisements.
"The media industry has exploited children, telling them to dress in adults' costumes, wear make-up and sing adult songs."
He said those children were forced to grow up too fast and experience the stressful routines of adult life.
"Their new identities as child stars would limit their freedom and change their behaviors. They could become arrogant and temperamental. This would affect their communication with others," he said.
The children will also discuss "child freedom" during the congress, he said, adding that there was scope for the children to launch a national anti-cruelty to children campaign.
"Their final statement will be addressed to the government, parents, teachers and others, including the media industry," Seto said, adding that the address would also be made in front of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as part of the commemoration of National Children's Day.