Safe Spaces for Every Child, Stronger Future for All

JAKARTA, 23 July 2026: On National Children’s Day, we celebrate every child’s right to grow up safe, respected, and supported.

This year, UNICEF welcomes the Government of Indonesia’s Safe and Friendly Space Movement, an important initiative that recognizes that protecting children from violence requires not only strong laws and services, but also nurturing environments in the places where children live, learn, play, and connect online.

Indonesia has demonstrated strong commitment and leadership in advancing the rights and wellbeing of children. Significant progress has been made in strengthening child protection laws and policies, expanding services for children and families, and placing child protection high on the national agenda. These efforts provide a strong foundation for ensuring that every child thrives.

At the same time, challenges remain. According to the 2024 National Survey on the Life Experiences of Children and Adolescents (SNPHAR), led by the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, more than half of Indonesian children aged 13 to 17 have experienced at least one form of violence during their lifetime. Many experience violence in places where they should feel safest, including at home, in schools, and increasingly online.

When UNICEF asked children and young people what a safe space means to them, their responses were both powerful and clear. They spoke mainly about two things that matter deeply to them: feeling safe from violence and harm, and feeling accepted, listened to, and trusted.

This is why safe spaces matter. Creating a safer world for children requires more than systems and services alone. It requires supportive relationships and environments where children feel safe, valued, and heard. Parents, caregivers, teachers, health workers, religious leaders, community members, children, and young people themselves all have a role to play in creating environments where every child feels supported and respected.

As we mark National Children’s Day, UNICEF reaffirms its commitment to working with the Government of Indonesia, partners, communities, and children and young people to help create safe and loving spaces for every child. 

Together, we can build on Indonesia’s progress and create a future where every child grows up free from violence and able to realize their full potential.