Protect and Make Indonesian Children Happy: Minister

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa has called on the community to protect and make Indonesian children happy as one of their responsibilities toward the nation's next generation.

"President Joko Widodo has also said that protect the children and make them happy," the minister said here, Sunday, when commemorating the National Children's Day at the Surabaya Heroes' Monument, here, Sunday.

Protecting the children means preventing them from negative actions such as violence, crimes and other maltreatment, she said.

Nowadays, children are rampant to crimes, therefore parents in particular and the community in general must protect them, she added.

In the meantime, chairperson of the organizing committee Tjuk Kasturi Sukiadi reminded the government to meet the rights of children.

The children's day was commemorated with numerous activities such as dance performances, traditional games, kite contest, and a story telling competition.    Some 580 children including those with disabilities, participated in the commemoration.

Earlier, President Jokowi when attending the peak event commemorating National Children's Day at Bogor Palace on August 11, said all parties had the responsibility of building the character of children to ensure that they have Indonesian traits.

"All parties are responsible. Do not simply hand over the responsibility of developing children's character to schools and the government," Jokowi.

On the occasion, he stated that results of the efforts employed to build the character of children take time to reflect in them.

"Building the character of children and instilling culture and values in them is important to break the cycle of violence against them, even though it requires a fairly long period of time," the president pointed out.

The head of state emphasized that character building was not the responsibility of the government and schools alone but of their family and public environment, as well.

"All parties should take up the responsibility of building the character and personality of Indonesian children," Jokowi reiterated. (*)