Local Governments Urged to Create Spaces for Youth Development

Jakarta - Deputy Minister for Population and Family Development and Deputy Head of the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), Ratu Ayu Isyana Bagoes Oka, has emphasised the need for local governments to take the initiative in creating spaces for teenagers to channel their energy into positive activities.

Speaking at the commemoration of World Population Day with UNFPA at the Garuda Child-Friendly Integrated Public Space (RPTRA) in East Jakarta on Thursday, Isyana highlighted existing central government programmes. “At the Ministry of Population and Family Development and BKKBN, we have the Youth Information and Counselling Centre (PIK Remaja) programme to address mental health issues. There are also other programmes, including the Population-Aware Schools initiative and the Youth Family Development programme, which provides education to families with teenagers,” she said.

Isyana cited an example shared by the Mayor of East Jakarta, where the local government addressed the problem of street brawls by building a boxing ring. “They created a boxing ring so the youth could channel their energy, and indirectly, some of them have even achieved success through it,” she noted. She added that her ministry continues to communicate and coordinate with regional heads on such matters.

Isyana further explained that the ministry, in collaboration with various stakeholders, is currently drafting a Population Development Roadmap (PJPK) to serve as the foundation for quality human resource development towards the Golden Indonesia 2045 vision. “We have the PJPK, which is being disseminated to all provincial, district, and city governments. It contains indicators that they can review. So, it acts as a map so that each region understands its specific problems. From there, they can determine what action plans need to be implemented,” she said.