Minister Azwar underlines virtues of small families
Minister Azwar underlines virtues of small families
JAKARTA (JP): Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare Azwar
Anas urged organizations concerned with child welfare to join in
the government's campaign to promote the concept of "small and
prosperous" families.
A child in a small family is likely to enjoy more care and
affection from the parents, Azwar said in opening a congress of
FK-PPAI, a forum of more than 100 child-welfare organizations.
"Parents' love cannot be replaced by anything and they are
very influential in a child's physical and mental growth," he
said.
"Our children's future depends on our success in promoting
small happy families, " he said.
The government's family planning campaign stresses the virtue
of a small family consisting of a mother, father and one or two
children.
FK-PPAI enjoys the patronage of many influential figures
including First Lady Tien Soeharto, justice Bismar Siregar and
legislator Theo Sambuaga.
The three day conference is focusing on society's role in the
implementation of the international convention on the rights of
the child, which Indonesia ratified in 1990.
Azwar also noted with concern that in spite of the progress
Indonesia has made in improving the welfare of children, child
abuse is still prevalent.
He said it occurs because of poverty, backwardness, ignorance
and, in the case of child workers, for financial motivation.
These are illegal according to the 1979 Law on Child Welfare
and the International Convention on Children's Rights, he said.
He stressed the need for parents to live up to their
responsibilities because the future of children is in their
hands.
Azwar said the congress should draw up recommendations for
future government policy on children as the nation prepares to
begin the Second Decade for Children on July 23, National
Children's Day.
The congress, which was opened at the Ministry of Home Affairs
Building, moved to the Safari Garden Hotel in the Cisarua
mountain resort. Other officials expected to brief the congress
include State Minister of National Development Planning
Ginandjar Kartasasmita.
FK-PPAI chairperson Lily I. Rilantono said the congress would
discuss parents' responsibility in improving the quality of
children. (01)