Yogyakarta Daycare Abuse Case Serves as Alarm for Childcare System

The alleged abuse case against a child at a daycare in Yogyakarta has sparked attention towards the oversight system for childminding institutions in Indonesia. The incident is seen as a reminder that child safety in childcare facilities still requires serious attention from both the government and service providers. National women’s figure Airin Rachmi Diany views the case as far from ordinary. According to her, child protection must be a priority, especially amid the growing need for childcare services among working parents. “My heart breaks as a mother hearing about the Yogyakarta case. Children are entrusted with full trust, yet they experience abuse. This is not just about physical wounds, but also trauma that can have a long-term impact on a child’s development,” said Airin on Tuesday, 12 May 2026. According to Airin, the existence of daycares must be accompanied by strict oversight standards, including caregiver competency and clear monitoring systems. She stated that childminding facilities are not enough to simply exist physically, but must also guarantee a sense of safety for both children and parents. During her tenure as Mayor of South Tangerang from 2011 to 2021, she claimed to have promoted the provision of daycare facilities in government office environments. Thus, she said, this step was taken to assist employees, particularly working mothers, so they could still monitor their children during working hours. “Workplace daycare facilities were created so that parents feel more at ease because their children are in a monitored environment and within their reach,” she said. In addition to childcare facilities, Airin also highlighted the importance of strengthening services for the protection of women and children, including access to legal and psychological counselling for victims of abuse. She emphasised that the Yogyakarta case should serve as a collective evaluation regarding the oversight mechanisms for private daycares, which are deemed uneven. According to her, caregiver certification and periodic monitoring need to be a focus for local and central governments. “Technology and facilities are merely aids. The main thing remains oversight, caregiver quality, and parental involvement in ensuring children are in a safe environment,” she said.