VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Republic of Indonesia and the Islamic Republic of Iran shared best practices on making districts and cities child-friendly during online meetings connecting Jakarta, Bali, and Tehran.

"Indonesia and Iran are member countries of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which shows the commitment of the two countries to promote the fulfillment of children's rights in an inclusive nation building," Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati Puspayoga, said in Denpasar, Bali. The meeting was covered virtually from Jakarta on Tuesday.

The minister said the best practices shared by the two countries on creating child-friendly districts and cities involve a child-based development system through integrating commitments and resources from the government, society, media, and the business world.

A child-friendly district or city is a planned system that is comprehensive and sustainable and involves the implementation of policies, programs, and activities aimed at ensuring the fulfillment of children's rights and special child protection.

"A child-friendly district/city is a manifestation of the commitment of the Indonesian government, which has been stated in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and has been passed down to various laws at the national level. Its implementation has also been integrated into Law Number 23 of 2014 concerning Regional Government," Puspayoga said.

The minister said the Regional Government Law emphasizes government affairs in the field of child protection are mandatory and must be carried out by the government, together with and through the support of the community, the media, and the business world.

During the meeting, the Vice President for Women and Family Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Masoumeh Ebtekar, expressed the hope that the implementation of child-friendly districts and cities in Indonesia and Iran can set an example for other countries in Asia.

"Hopefully our children, women, and our families can experience higher security, a healthy and good environment, a healthier living space for children's survival to do well," she said.

Through the meeting, Ebtekar said she hoped the two countries would exchange information and experiences on giving attention to children, women, and families wherever they are.

"After this meeting, Iran and Indonesia should pay better attention to the physical and mental health of children," she remarked. (Antaranews)