HAN 2025, Puan: Don't Let Indonesian Children Grow In Violence And Malnutrition

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, assessed that National Children's Day (HAN) which is commemorated every July 23 must give birth to a joint commitment to guarantee children's rights. This is done so that every Indonesian child is free from various problems, such as violence, bullying, and malnutrition or stunting which so far still haunts.

Millions of Indonesian children today still live in uncertainty, experience violence, experience stunting, do not receive quality education, and minimal social protection. This issue must be answered immediately with policy," said Puan, Wednesday, July 23.

According to Puan, the 2025 HAN commemoration must be interpreted more than just ceremonial in the midst of the spirit of the theme Great Children, Strong Indonesia Towards Golden Indonesia 2045.

"So the commemoration of National Children's Day 2025 must be a real momentum for Indonesian children to be free from various threats, be it violence, bullying, stunting and so on. This requires the role of all stakeholders and from the community itself, through any channel," he continued.

Based on data from the National Police Criminal Investigation Agency, 5,574 cases of violence against children occurred until April 2025, and this trend continued to increase.

Puan assessed that the high number of child violence was due to an undecentralized protection system. Many regions do not yet have child service units at the village or sub-district level, and have not yet built an integrated reporting and assistance system.

"And there are still fewer social workers who are trained to handle child cases comprehensively," he said.

In addition to violence against children, Puan assessed that the stunting problem in Indonesia is still a serious challenge faced by children. He called the stunting issue a form of structural violence against children who often escape attention.

"Children who grow up in poor nutritional conditions are not only at risk physically, but also miss the opportunity to grow optimally cognitively and socially," said Puan.

"Therefore, the Government must ensure nutritional justice and welfare of children from the womb. Because today's stunted children will find it very difficult to become a superior generation tomorrow," continued the former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture.

Puan also emphasized that solving the stunting problem must be carried out and supported by all parties. Starting from the intervention in nutritious food that is more affordable, educational family nutrition, to equitable maternal and child health services in remote areas.

Therefore, Puan encourages the establishment of a child and family protection service unit at the village/kelurahan level. According to him, the 'Indonesia Free Stunting 2030' program must also be pursued through community-based nutrition and sanitation interventions.

"The problem of stunting in Indonesia must be addressed immediately to ensure that children as the next generation of the nation grow into a quality golden human resource (HR) as we hope together, for the advancement of Indonesia," said Puan.

Puan also highlighted the many cases of children facing the risk of bullying, sexual violence, and discrimination. Where they are faced with both physically and digitally unsafe environments outside of school, including exposure to educational online content.

"Children in disadvantaged villages, traditional areas, and welfare families are still experiencing acute inequality in terms of education, health, and social protection," explained Puan.

Puan emphasized that child protection must be included in the great framework of national and local development. He also encouraged the presence of various breakthrough programs that could maximize protection for children.

"Premendary training for teachers, medical personnel, and village officials regarding child protection and children's mental health must be carried out. Children also need to be involved in village/city development deliberation forums to ensure their participation rights," said Puan.

Bung Karno's grandson added that protecting children's rights is an effort to build civilization. For that, said Puan, cooperation is needed for every element of the nation in strengthening the spirit of togetherness in the issue of protecting children.

"DPR RI through the legislative, budget, and supervision functions will continue to encourage the mainstreaming of children's issues in every country's strategic policies," he said.

"Happy National Children's Day 2025 to all Indonesian children. All children mean, all children are valuable, and all children will definitely play a role in development. Let's take care of our children," concluded Puan.