Government policies ignore poor children<\/p>\n
MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): The government of President
\nAbdurrahman Wahid has yet to side with the children of poor
\nfamilies, says a scholar.<\/p>\n
Abdul Razak Taha, head of the center for food, nutrition and
\nhealth study at Hasanuddin University said on Thursday that the
\nPresident's policies apparently favored well off groups instead.
\nHe cited the monetary and banking schemes as examples.<\/p>\n
Razak made the statement at the conclusion of a journalist
\nfield trip and workshop on the coverage of needy children. The
\nworkshop jointly organized by Makassar Journalists Joint Forum
\nand the United Nations Children's Fund (Unicef) took place on May
\n14 and 15.<\/p>\n
\"Worse, House of Representatives legislators have fought for
\nan increase in their own salaries, ignoring the situation of the
\npeople they are representing, including children of poor
\nfamilies,\" said Razak.<\/p>\n
\"This is ironic. At a time when the number of street children
\nand malnourished children is increasing they (the House members)
\nare crying for salary hikes.\"<\/p>\n
Sharing his opinion, Farid Ma'ruf Ibrahim, who led the
\nworkshop's agenda formulation team said that the media had been
\nunaware of the difficult problems faced by poor children.<\/p>\n
\"The journalists tend to run stories on street children
\nwithout touching on the impact of existence on the street and the
\nbackground conditions that have led the children to the street.\"<\/p>\n
Unicef representative in Makassar Purwanta Iskandar said that
\nIndonesian children were facing many problems. \"They are also
\nvulnerable to rights abuse and violence.\"<\/p>\n
The local provincial administration has recorded a total of
\n28,000 children under age five who are under nourished. (27\/sur)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-policies-ignore-poor-children-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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