DPP Perempuan Bangsa: Child safety must be a priority during mudik

Jakarta – The Central Executive Board (DPP) of Perempuan Bangsa has reminded that children’s safety must be a priority during mudik, at the Child-Friendly Mudik Socialisation Campaign at Merak Port, Banten, on Saturday. Nihayatul Wafiroh, the General Chairperson of DPP Perempuan Bangsa, stressed that children and the elderly are the most vulnerable groups during mudik journeys, particularly due to the long travel times and the potential risk of accidents. ‘Our aim is to remind mudik travellers to always be vigilant about children’s safety,’ she said, familiarly known as Ninik, as quoted in a statement received in Jakarta. She noted that many accidents occur during mudik, and among the victims are children and the elderly, who are the most vulnerable given the lengthy journeys. The socialisation activity aims to remind travellers to pay more attention to the safety and comfort of children and the elderly during the mudik journey. She emphasised that Perempuan Bangsa wants to ensure that children and the elderly are comfortable during the journey so that their health and safety remain safeguarded. In the campaign, the DPP Perempuan Bangsa also conducted on-site checks of the facilities available on the ferry crossing. The checks covered a range of facilities relating to the needs of children and the elderly. ‘We did not only check at the port facilities, but also the facilities for children and the elderly on board the vessels. Earlier we saw the lactation room, the health room or clinic, as well as the children’s area and rest areas on the ship. Overall, the facilities were quite good,’ she said. Meanwhile, the Head of Health and Environment of DPP Perempuan Bangsa, Dimas Pahlawanita, said that the child-friendly mudik socialisation is not only conducted in Merak, but is being intensified in various regions. ‘The child-friendly mudik socialisation is not limited to now and Merak; it is being carried out continuously by Perempuan Bangsa in various regions and through social media platforms,’ said Dimas. As part of the campaign, Perempuan Bangsa also distributed packages to children and the elderly containing various items to support comfort during travel, including storybooks, wet wipes and dry wipes, eucalyptus oil, vitamin C and vitamin B complex, dates, bread, red ginger drinks, biscuits, medicines, hand sanitiser, electrolyte drinks, and a brochure guiding safe mudik. Through these activities, Perempuan Bangsa hopes the child-friendly mudik campaign will raise public awareness to pay greater attention to the safety, health, and comfort of children and the elderly during mudik.