VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government continues its efforts to address malnutrition in Asmat Regency, Papua. Changes in the community pattern in Papua has contributed to affect malnutrition Problem. In general, the people of Papua today are very dependent on the poor supply of rice from the government. This was stated by Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Protection, Yohana Yembise to Media after a Consultation Meeting between the Government and House of Representatives at Parliament Building Jakarta Thursday (1/2). Another factor contributing to the problem of malnutrition in Asmat Regency is places where the Asmat tribes live which  are swampy, remote, and difficult to reach. Therefore the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection will launch Child Friendly Regency Program.

“So we may come in, especially with the Declaration of the Child Friendly Regency where we must give attention to the children's rights to grow and development of the children, including special protection for the children there. Malnutrition, children in school or not, it includes in the 24 indicators under the Child Friendly Regency program. So we are launching the Asmat Regency to the Child Friendly Regency that will involve the traditional leaders, religious leaders including the the Regional Apparatuses and also the communities themselves who must support the program," Yohana said.

Minister Yohana Yembise also explained that if the Child Friendly Regency Program runs as existing and mechanism, then it will fulfill the right of the child among others Birth Certificate, education and health service. If those rights are not met, then that would have violated the Convention on the Rights of the Child. /// (VOI/AF/AHM)