Indonesian ministry reminds stakeholders to not exploit children in election

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection cautioned all parties involved in the 2024 General Elections to present a child-friendly election and not exploit children for electoral purposes, reported Antara.

"It is important to understand that the dynamics of the 'democracy fiesta' not only affects the general public but also presents a significant implication for our children," the ministry's assistant deputy for the protection of children from violence, Ciput Eka Purwanti said in a statement here Wednesday.

The official said taking children along to political campaign events could have adverse effects on their psychological condition. Moreover, parents often do not realise its effect on their children, she said.

"The psychological conditions of our children can be affected by provocative languages often shouted by electoral candidates, their campaign team, or supporters at political campaigns," Purwanti said.

"It could also cause discomfort to the children and reduce theier quality free time (that they should enjoy)," she added.

Involving children in political campaigns could potentially violate Law No. 23 of the 2022 on Child Protection, the official stressed.

Hence, parents who take along their children to participate in political campaigns, especially if done through coercion, should be penalised, she emphasised.

Purwanti highlighted the need to optimise the role of election stakeholders, such as her ministry, the Home Affairs Ministry, the General Elections Commission, the General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) and the Indonesian Child Protection Commission in realising a child-friendly political climate.

She pointed out that stakeholders should provide children with facilities, such as a special play space for those whose parents are participating in political campaigns, as well as to provide proper information about politics to first-time voters. - BERNAMA