In a statement released here on Friday, the ministry's secretary, Pribudiarta Nur Sitepu, said that the signing of the cooperation agreement was part of a collaborative effort for creating an inclusive, diverse, and safe learning environment for children.
He noted that all ministries and agencies present at Thursday's agreement signing ceremony affirmed their multi-sector commitment to implementing the national strategy for reducing violence against children.
"We all understand that maintaining the quality of life of our children in accordance with the mandate of the Constitution is our shared responsibility," he said.
Sitepu noted that the Minister of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology's regulation concerning the prevention and handling of violence in educational units is an important effort in the national strategy to ensure the running of the child protection system in educational units.
He affirmed that his ministry would continue to strengthen the role of children as pioneers and reporters, as peer educators regarding children's rights and protection, and as friends who can be trusted by their peers.
He further said that the ministry and regional governments would continue to strengthen the quality and coverage of community-based integrated child protection and volunteers of the Women and Children Friends (SAPA) program at the village level across Indonesia.
"As a service provider for children who need special protection at the central level, we will strengthen the coordination role in handling cases of violence against children, which require cross-provincial and cross-country coordination and (those) which are the final referrals," Sitepu added.
The signing of the cooperation agreement on Thursday was carried out by eight ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology.
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Translator: Anita Permata, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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