Children's Day: Time to Awareness and Protect!

National Children's Day, celebrated every July 23rd, should be a moment for all elements of society to reflect on the condition of Indonesian children. However, instead of being celebrated with joy, this year's commemoration is overshadowed by a grim fact: violence against children continues to occur in various regions, and in even more diverse forms.

In recent years, reports of physical, psychological, sexual violence, and even economic exploitation of children have continued to emerge. Institutions such as the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) and the National Commission for Child Protection (Komnas PA) have noted that many cases of violence occur in homes, schools, and even places of worship—environments that should provide a sense of security. Children are not only victims of violence by strangers, but also by those closest to them who should be protecting them.

Violence against children is not only a legal issue, but also a deeply rooted culture of silence and neglect. Many cases go unreported because they are considered a family disgrace or a "minor problem." This hinders the upholding of justice and complicates the recovery process for victims.

National Children's Day commemoration should not be limited to ceremonies and sweet slogans. It's time to face the reality that child protection in Indonesia is far from ideal. The public needs to be made aware that violence, no matter how small, can have a significant impact on a child's physical and mental development.

The government has indeed established various regulations and child protection institutions. However, this is not enough without the support of collective public awareness. Child protection must begin in the family, be strengthened in the social environment, and be guaranteed by the state.

If we truly want to celebrate National Children's Day with its true meaning, then our duty is to ensure that every child in this country can grow up safely, with their rights respected, and free from all forms of violence. Because when one child is harmed, the future of the nation is shaken.