Today, all Indonesian children must feel a sense of joy and happiness, although a pandemic is sweeping across the worldJakarta (ANTARA) - Women's Empowerment and Child Protection Minister I Gusti Ayu Bintang Darmawati Puspayoga believes the COVID-19 pandemic had restricted everyone's activities but failed to dampen the Indonesian children’s enthusiasm to commemorate National Children's Day 2020.
"Today is your day. Today, all Indonesian children must feel a sense of joy and happiness, although a pandemic is sweeping across the world," Bintang Puspayoga stated at the highlight of the virtual National Children's Day Commemoration in 2020 in Jakarta on Thursday.
The minister pointed out that in contrast to the earlier years, commemorating National Children's Day in 2020 was challenging on account of the COVID-19 pandemic that also had an impact on society, including the children.
Several problems encumbering Indonesian children in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, range from parenting issues presented on account of either they or their parents having contracted the virus, to reduction in learning and playing times owing to being homebound.
"With those challenges in sight, the commemoration of 2020 National Children's Day bears the theme 'Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia,' with the tagline 'Indonesian Children are Happy at Home,'" he noted.
Bintang explained that the sub-theme "Happy Indonesian Children at Home" was selected to serve as a motivation that the COVID-19 pandemic had failed to diminish the country's commitment to commemorate National Children's Day 2020 virtually without reducing its significance.
"The commemoration, packaged online, can reach more children across Indonesia, including those in need of special protection," he stated.
The peak of the virtual event to commemorate National Children's Day 2020, held through the Zoom application, was attended by 329 representatives from 34 provinces, 69 representatives of the Children's Forum, and 44 performers at the Happy Concert at Home.
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Translator: Dewanto S, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Sri Haryati
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