For Every Child, Every Right: Renewing Our Promise on World Children’s Day

Jakarta, 20 November 2025 – Today, on World Children’s Day, UNICEF joins voices around the globe to reaffirm a simple yet powerful truth: every child, everywhere, has the same rights as guaranteed by the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 

This year’s theme, “My Day, My Rights,” reminds us that investing in children is not an act of charity; it is a fundamental obligation. 

Indonesia has made remarkable progress in advancing children’s rights, especially over the past decade. From reducing child malnutrition to expanding access to healthcare, nutrition, and education, the country is moving in the right direction. These achievements reflect the Government’s strong commitment, and UNICEF is proud to support this journey. 

Yet, challenges remain. One of them is child poverty. 

UNICEF’s global flagship report, The State of the World’s Children, released today, shows that more than one in five children in low- and middle-income countries— 417 million in total—are severely deprived in at least two essential areas. These include critical services for children's development and wellbeing, such as education, health, housing, nutrition, sanitation, and water. 

Indonesia has made significant progress in steadily reducing child poverty. However, 11.8 per cent of children – approximately 9.5 million – still live below the poverty line. A new study just released by Bappenas, in collaboration with UNICEF, shows that 37.4 per cent – nearly 30 million children – experience deprivation in at least two of the following areas: education, health, nutrition, protection, adequate housing, clean water and sanitation, and access to information.  

The report ‘Multidimensional Child Rights Deprivation in Indonesia’ is a testament to Indonesia’s determination to understand how poverty affects children in their daily lives. Poverty is more than a lack of income. It means missed opportunities and unrealized potential.  

UNICEF is therefore working closely with the Government of Indonesia to rethink how we measure and address child poverty – looking beyond income to understand the full reality children face. Thoughtful action based on this approach can and will transform children’s lives for the better — so that children can dream big.  

I would like to invite everyone to learn more about these efforts from the report available on UNICEF’s website: Multidimensional child rights deprivation in Indonesia

UNICEF commends the Government’s leadership and commitment to building a future free of child poverty. Together, we are strengthening efforts to reach the most vulnerable children. 

On this World Children’s Day, let us renew our promise: to ensure every child in Indonesia grows up safe, educated, healthy, protected, and full of hope. 

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UNICEF’s global State of the World’s Children Report available here: The State of the World’s Children 2025