Bogor, June 3, 2025 — The Center for Gender and Child Studies IPB University in collaboration with the National Institute for Child and Family Development (NICFD), Mahidol University, Thailand, held a National Webinar to commemorate World Child Protection Day with the theme: “International Child Protection Day: Raising Awareness and Action”.
This event was attended by participants from various circles and from various regions in Indonesia, including academics, policy makers, activists, educators, students, and child protection workers on the front lines. This webinar is a strategic momentum to reflect on challenges and strengthen the synergy of policies and real actions in fighting for children’s rights.
The webinar was officially opened by Prof. Dr. Arya Hadi Darmawan, Head of the International Research Institute for Socio-Economic and Regional Development, IPB University. In his remarks, Prof. Arya emphasized that the issue of child protection is not only a national problem, but a global responsibility. He said that throughout 2023, more than 15,000 cases of violence against children were reported through SIMFONI PPA. In addition, he highlighted regional challenges, including the still low achievement of the child protection index even though several provinces such as West Java have exceeded the national average. According to Prof. Arya, international cooperation such as between Indonesia and Thailand is very important to strengthen research-based and collaborative child protection policies.
The first material was delivered by Dr. Chatchai Imarom, a Pediatrician at Mahidol University Hospital who also serves as Deputy Director for International Relations and Public Relations at NICFD Mahidol University, Thailand. Dr. Baz discussed various forms of threats to children, including physical, sexual, emotional violence, and neglect. He emphasized the importance of a collaborative inter-professional approach to ensure the fulfillment of children’s rights according to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC). In his material, Dr. Baz also presented several cases of violence against children in Thailand and explained that children who are victims of violence will potentially have various degenerative diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and liver disorders. Dr. Baz even said that the experience of violence can damage brain and nerve development which can shorten a person’s life.
Meanwhile, Dr. Yulina Eva Riany, Head of the Center for Gender and Child Studies (PKGA) IPB University, in the second material explained the current situation of child protection in Indonesia. She highlighted that throughout 2023 there were more than 9,588 cases of sexual violence against children, and that the National Child Protection Index had not yet reached the 2024 RPJMN target. Dr. Eva emphasized the importance of implementing various education based on families and communities as the main and closest units to children. On the same occasion, Dr. Eva also emphasized the need to start child protection efforts now and start from our closest environment. The webinar also discussed a number of real cases of violence against children, including cases in Islamic boarding schools in Bandung, violence against infants by biological fathers, and online trafficking of girls. These cases reinforce the urgency of policy reform, increasing public awareness, and law enforcement that favors children.
A number of key recommendations agreed upon in this forum include:
- The need for an integrated strategy for efforts to provide protection to children.
- Need to involve various sectors.
- Accurate data is needed as a basis for developing child protection strategies
- A strong commitment is needed from various parties, both from families, communities, NGOs, and also the government to realize child protection.
This webinar reaffirms that protecting children is protecting the future of the nation. Therefore, it is urgent to start all child protection efforts from now on and from the closest environment.