'Jakarta children have nowhere to play'

In observance of National Children's Day, which fell on July 23, the state, parents and adults pledged to protect and promote the rights of children. The Jakarta Post talked to residents about which children's rights had most been neglected by society.

Sisi, 28, teaches English at an educational center in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta. She lives with her family in Bintaro, Tangerang:

I have noticed that the Jakarta administration doesn't care about places where children can play.

There are no parks, outside those in housing complexes. Vacant land in the city is used to build malls, rather than parks. Nowadays, when children want to play football, for example, they have to play it on the street.

Maybe parks don't have any economic benefits, but they are a place where children can learn to socialize. Every child can go to the park, to play and meet new people. It doesn't need to be big -- just a swing and a slide would do.

Children don't play outside after school anymore. Where should they go? Do we have to turn to Monas (the National Monument park in Central Jakarta) or Senayan just to find a big enough space for our children to play?

Jamil, 50, is an employee of a private company on Jl. Oto Iskandar Dinata in Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta. He lives with his wife and four children in Grogol, West Jakarta:

I think the main reason why parents make their children beg or become street singers is their difficult financial situation, which was brought about by the crisis. We can all see that the number of street children who beg on buses and around intersections is increasing.

I don't want to be critical, because I don't think anyone wants to see their children on the street. Most (of those parents) lost their jobs in the economic crisis.

I can only hope that, somehow, their children are given the chance to pursue their education.

I would never allow my children to work like that, but I always ask them to do household chores.

--The Jakarta Post