Six ministries team up to expand child protection efforts

3 hours ago

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Six Indonesian ministries have pledged to strengthen child protection across public and private spaces through Gernas RANA, a national movement aimed at creating safer environments for children nationwide.

Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Pratikno said his ministry is working with five others to promote the initiative, including ministries overseeing communications, education, women’s protection, religious affairs, and population development.

Speaking in Jakarta on Tuesday, Pratikno said the ministries share a commitment to reduce risks of violence against children in families, schools, public spaces, and the digital sphere through coordinated national efforts.

Pratikno said the government would continue reducing violence cases from the grassroots level, with each ministry instructed to mobilize regional offices and cooperate closely with local governments.

He added that his ministry is partnering with the Home Affairs Ministry to strengthen oversight and implementation of child protection programs across regions through improved coordination mechanisms.

“The home affairs minister chairs a regular coordination forum every Monday to strengthen regional leaders’ commitments,” Pratikno said, adding that child-friendly spaces remain among the forum’s priorities.

Primary and Secondary Education Minister Abdul Mu’ti said his ministry had issued a circular restricting gadget use by children under 16 while promoting safer and more comfortable learning environments through new regulations.

He said the policy followed President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to ensure child-friendly spaces and protect children from various risks affecting their development and education.

Communication and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid highlighted ongoing assessments of digital platforms under the Government Regulation on Electronic System Governance for Child Protection, known as PP Tunas.

She said the initiative was crucial because children and adolescents account for more than 80 percent of Indonesia’s 235 million internet users, creating a need for stronger digital safeguards.

Hafid also stressed the urgency of combating cyberbullying, which she said had affected around 48 percent of Indonesian children.

“Our approach differs from other countries,” she said, citing targeted restrictions after platform assessments.