Klojen – The government issued Government Regulation (PP) No. 44 of 2017 concerning the Implementation of Child Care to improve protection and fulfillment of children's rights.
The Government Regulation was launched by the Minister of Social Affairs Khofifah Indar Parawansa at the commemoration of World Children's Day at Merdeka Square, Malang City, East Java, Monday (20/11).
"This PP is a guideline for the implementation of Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning Amendments to Law Number 23 of 2002 concerning Child Protection," said Minister Khofifah.
He said that this PP emphasizes on family-based child care. Therefore, the main target of the issuance of this PP is children who are cared for by the nuclear family as well as a message about the obligation of parents to provide good care.
"The government wants basic services and fulfillment of every child's needs for love, safety, welfare, and civil rights to be truly fulfilled," he said.
Minister Khofifah explained that the PP sets clear standards for the community to raise children. Not only that, the certainty of the status of children if they are not raised by the nuclear family is also more certain.
"Primary care is the nuclear family, while child care based on Child Welfare Institutions (LKSA) and non-institutions is the last option and even if it has to be done, it is temporary and not forever, except for parents whose custody rights have been revoked based on a court decision," he added.
This PP, he continued, has been in effect since it was enacted on October 16, 2017. This means that the government will continue to strive to improve the protection and fulfillment of basic children's rights, both those in the care of nuclear families, LKSA care and children in non-LKSA care.
Ministry of Social Affairs Increases LKSA Accreditation
Meanwhile, during 2017 the Ministry of Social Affairs targeted accreditation of 2000 (two thousand) Child Welfare Institutions (LKSA). The number of LKSA accredited increased 10 times compared to last year which targeted 200 (two hundred) LKSA. Currently the Ministry of Social Affairs is also revising the National Child Care Standards (SNPA) guidelines.
"In 2016, only 200 LKSAs were accredited, but in 2017 the number reached 2000 LKSAs. This accreditation is important to avoid the possibility of inadequate facilities and the possibility of substandard care in LKSAs," said Minister Khofifah.
He hopes that the results of the LKSA accreditation can be responded to immediately by the social service so that follow-up coaching can be carried out immediately. Given that registration, approval, supervision and revocation of LKSA permits are in the district/city social service.
Minister Khofifah appreciates the high participation of the community that has provided childcare services both through LKSA and non-LKSA. However, according to her, the standards of care and the adequacy of supporting infrastructure must still be met.
"Therefore, monitoring and support from local governments are very much needed so that efforts to implement this PP can be maximized," he said.
According to the 2016 National Socio-Economic Survey (Susenas), in Indonesia there are 11 million children living in households headed by grandparents only. Meanwhile, data from the Directorate of Children of the Ministry of Social Affairs shows that there are around 250 thousand children living in more than 6161 LKSA throughout Indonesia.
He added that child protection is a serious issue that requires attention from all parties, including the general public. Therefore, the Ministry of Social Affairs invites the public to report to the Child Social Service Telephone (TEPSA) call center number 1500-771, if they see violence or neglect of children in their environment.
Meanwhile, to provide services and assistance for improving the social welfare of Indonesian children, the Ministry of Social Affairs has also prepared a social worker service unit (Sakti Peksos) of 805 people spread across 440 districts/cities throughout Indonesia. (Ministry of Social Affairs Public Relations Bureau)
