KemenPPPA Pushes for Indonesian Children's Voices to Form Foundation of Policy Making

Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Arifah Fauzi, has encouraged that the Suara Anak Indonesia (SAI) become a crucial foundation in determining the direction of government policies that prioritise the best interests of children. “We hope that what the children convey directly will change and produce policies that suit their needs. This children’s voice is a constitutional mandate. So, listening to children’s voices is no longer a choice, but an obligation for the state and a shared responsibility,” said Minister PPPA Arifah Fauzi in Jakarta, Monday. She made this statement while receiving the SAI official report document from representatives of the National Children’s Forum (FAN) at the closing of the 2026 FAN Workshop. “I am deeply moved by what children from all over Indonesia have done, from the village/kelurahan, sub-district, district/city, provincial, to the national level. These children’s voices are not just to be heard, but require real work and action from stakeholders across Indonesia. Future leaders must know what is happening on the ground and what they feel, and this has been done by the children in preparing the SAI,” said Arifah Fauzi. The SAI will be read out at the peak of the National Children’s Day commemoration in Tanjung Pinang City, Riau Islands, and at the Children’s Culture Festival at the Makara Art Center, University of Indonesia, Depok City, West Java. “There is an important point here about how we learn to appreciate and respect other people’s opinions to reach a mutual conclusion, until we finally get the 2026 SAI,” said Minister Arifatul Choiri Fauzi. KemenPPPA will facilitate children to convey these aspirations directly to all stakeholders through the ‘Kemudi’ programme, which involves direct visits by children to ministries/institutions that are the focus of the SAI. “We hope these children can directly convey to the minister or other leaders what is truly expected,” said Arifah Fauzi.