Minister of Women's Empowerment Receives 2026 Indonesian Children's Voice Document, Pushes for Child Aspirations to Form Policy Basis

Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Arifah Fauzi received the 2026 Suara Anak Indonesia (SAI) official report from representatives of the National Children’s Forum (FAN) at the closing of the 2026 FAN Workshop on Sunday (19/7). The document contains the aspirations, needs, and hopes of Indonesian children, collected in stages from the village or sub-district level up to the national level, as input for the formulation of child-friendly policies. Minister Arifah appreciated the lengthy process undertaken by children from various regions to compile the SAI. According to her, the results presented must not only be heard but also followed up by all stakeholders. “I am very touched by what the children from all over Indonesia have done, starting from the village/sub-district, district/city, provincial, to the national level. These children’s voices are not just to be listened to, but require work and real action from stakeholders throughout Indonesia. Future leaders must know what is happening on the ground and what they feel, and this has been done by our children in compiling the SAI,” said the PPPA Minister. The 2026 FAN Workshop, themed ‘Weaving Meaningful Child Participation’, took place over a month leading up to the 42nd National Children’s Day (HAN) in 2026. The activity provided a space for children to build capacity, discuss, and formulate various issues they face into 12 priority points within the SAI. The document’s compilation also involved Children Requiring Special Protection (AMPK), including children with disabilities, ensuring the process prioritised the principle of inclusive participation. The SAI is planned to be read out at the peak of the HAN commemoration in Tanjung Pinang City, Riau Islands, as well as at the Children’s Culture Festival at the Makara Art Center, University of Indonesia, Depok. The PPPA Minister assessed that the process of compiling the SAI also taught children the importance of respecting differing opinions to reach a mutual agreement. “There is an important point here about how we learn to appreciate and respect other people’s opinions so that they become a joint conclusion, until we finally get the 2026 SAI,” she said. As a follow-up, the PPPA Ministry will facilitate children to directly convey the contents of the SAI to relevant ministries and institutions through the Kemudi programme. The programme is expected to serve as a bridge so that children’s aspirations can be considered in the formulation of public policy. “We hope these children can directly convey to ministers or other leaders what is truly expected. We hope that what is conveyed by the children directly will change and produce policies that suit the needs of our children. 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,” Arifah stressed. On the same occasion, CEO & Chairperson of Save the Children, Dessy Kurwiany Ukar, asserted that children need to be involved in every decision-making process that impacts their lives. She mentioned that her organisation has assisted the PPPA Ministry over the past three years in compiling the SAI so that children’s voices from all provinces, including AMPK, can be conveyed to the government. “Today is a valuable opportunity for you to speak honestly about what you feel, think, and hope for. The process of conveying children’s voices is not easy. Many discussions and opinions had to be united, from the district/city, provincial, to the national level, but that is precisely where we learn that every voice has meaning,” said Dessy. Dessy expressed hope that all the aspirations gathered would not stop as a document, but would become the basis for fulfilling children’s rights in Indonesia. “Let us continue to support each other so that Indonesian children grow into resilient, creative, and courageous individuals ready to face the challenges of the times, especially challenges in the digital world and climate change. Keep dreaming, children, keep studying hard, and keep voicing good things. When children speak, the world listens,” she added. On the same occasion, UNICEF Indonesia’s Chief Child Protection, Muhammad Rafiq Khan, stated that the Indonesian government has shown a strong commitment to providing safe spaces for children, including in the digital realm. He noted that the series of workshops leading up to the 2026 HAN has equipped children with essential skills, from protecting themselves to voicing their opinions.