Indonesia

Overweight and obesity are on the rise in Indonesia, accompanied by an increase in diet-related conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Key contributors to this trend include shifts in the country's food landscape, notably the expansion of modern food retailers like convenience stores. While these outlets offer a wider array…

BALI, Indonesia – 30 November 2023: The Regional Social Policy Forum, hosted by the Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS) of Indonesia and UNICEF, with support from ECHO and the government of Canada, was held in Bali from 28-29 November 2023. Titled "Towards a Child-sensitive and Adaptive Social Protection System: Achievements and…

In the tobacco-filled landscape of East Java, 16-year-olds Aisya Nur Jannah and Naufal Rifki Ramadhan, students of Annur Islamic Boarding School in Malang District are trying to change the norms they grew up with.  Against the odds, in an environment that normalizes smoking, they are choosing a different path. “I have many friends who smoke, and I…, How You Can Help, Thanks to your generous contribution and collaboration with all stakeholders, UNICEF can develop more initiatives to help prevent tobacco use among adolescents and ensure a healthier environment #ForEveryChild. The story above is one among many activities initiated by UNICEF and partners to reduce cigarette consumption among Indonesian adolescents…

Just before dawn, it is quiet in the small four-bedroom house that Renata Azhari (Rere), age 11, shares with 15 other family members in Rembang, Purbalingga District, Central Java. Sitting in the living room, Misyati gently pulls together her youngest daughter’s strands of hair, as she helps her get ready for school. Rere – who has hearing and…, How You Can Help, Thanks to your generous contribution and collaboration with all stakeholders, UNICEF can continue to promote equal access to education #ForEveryChild, including children with disabilities. The story above is one of the concrete actions taken by UNICEF and partners to return children to school and will continue to be expanded to other areas in need…

Every child has rights that must be protected.  Children and young people have the same general human rights as adults and also specific rights that recognize their special needs. Human rights are standards that recognize and protect the dignity of all human beings, they govern how individual human beings live in society and with each other.…, Child rights and why they matter?, Aku anak Indonesia, aku punya hak There are many reasons for singling out children's rights in a separate human rights Convention:, 1 Children are individuals, Children are neither the possessions of parents nor of the state, nor are they mere people-in-the-making; they have equal status as members of the human family., 2 Children start life as totally dependent beings, Children must rely on adults for the nurture and guidance they need to grow towards independence. Such nurture is ideally found from adults in children's families, but when primary adult caregivers cannot meet children's needs, it is up to the State as the primary duty bearer to find an alternative in the best interests of the child., 3 The actions, or inactions, of government impact children more strongly than any other group in society, Practically every area of government policy – from education  to public health – affects children to some degree. Short-sighted policymaking that fails to take children into account has a negative impact on the future of all members of society., 4 Children's views should be heard and considered in the political process, Children generally do not vote and do not traditionally take part in political processes. Without special attention to the opinions of children – as expressed at home and in schools, in local communities and even in governments – children's views go unheard on the many important issues that affect them now or will affect them in the future., 5 Many changes in society are having a disproportionate, and often negative, impact on children, Transformation of the family structure, globalization, climate change, digitalization, mass migration, shifting employment patterns and a shrinking social welfare net in many countries all have strong impacts on children. The impact of these changes can be particularly devastating in situations of armed conflict and other emergencies., 6 The healthy development of children is crucial to the future well-being of any society, Because they are still developing, children are especially vulnerable – more so than adults – to poor living conditions such as poverty, inadequate health care, nutrition, safe water, housing and environmental pollution. The effects of disease, malnutrition and poverty threaten the future of children and therefore the future of the societies in…, What is Convention on the Rights of the Child?, Cari Tahu dan Ambil Bagian untuk Kemajuan Hak Anak In 1989, world leaders made a historic commitment to the world’s children by adopting the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child – an international agreement on childhood. It’s become the most widely ratified human rights treaty in history and has helped transform children’s lives…, Child rights we should all know, Untuk setiap anak, harapan The Convention on the Rights of the Child comprises four main pillars - the right to survival, the right to protection, the right to development and the right to participation. These rights are based on the non-discrimination principle and all actions must be in line with the best interest of children. The right to…, Important message from your favorite influencers, More to explore

Maternal nutrition starts from preconception, carries through the ante and postpartum periods and continues throughout the reproductive period and the transformative years from the foetal stage to adolescence. Indonesia has a high prevalence of maternal malnutrition coupled with high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality. According to Riskesdas…

A modest sign frames the entrance of the Sultan Hasanuddin Islamic Boarding School ( pesantren ) in Bajeng, Gowa district, South Sulawesi province: “Welcome to a Child-friendly Pesantren”. Intricate Arabic calligraphy adorns the predominantly green walls of every corridor in the school, outlining information about preventing sexual abuse and…, How You Can Help, Thanks to your generous contribution and collaboration with all stakeholders, UNICEF can continue to promote and provide training for teachers on the importance of information about preventing sexual abuse and exploitation of children in schools. This challenge is a shared responsibility to protect and create a safe learning place for children.…

When conflict or war makes the headlines, it can cause feelings such as fear, sadness, anger and anxiety wherever you live. Children always look to their parents for a sense of safety and security – even more so in times of crisis.  Here are some tips on how to approach the conversation with your child and to provide them with support and comfort., 1. Find out what they know and how they feel, Choose a time and place when you can bring it up naturally and your child is more likely to feel comfortable talking freely, such as during a family meal. Try to avoid talking about the topic just before bedtime. A good starting point is to ask your child what they know and how they are feeling. Some children might know little about what is…, 2. Keep it calm and age-appropriate, Children have a right to know what’s going on in the world, but adults also have a responsibility to keep them safe from distress. You know your child best. Use age-appropriate language, watch their reactions, and be sensitive to their level of anxiety. It is normal if you feel sad or worried about what is happening as well. But keep in mind that…, 3. Spread compassion, not stigma, Conflict can often bring with it prejudice and discrimination, whether against a people or country. When talking to your children, avoid labels like “bad people” or “evil” and instead use it as an opportunity to encourage compassion, such as for the families forced to flee their homes. Even if a conflict is happening in a distant country, it can…, 4. Focus on the helpers, It’s important for children to know that people are helping each other with acts of courage and kindness. Find positive stories, such as the first responders assisting people, or young people calling for peace. See if your child would like to participate in taking positive action. Perhaps they could draw a poster or write a poem for peace, or…, 5. Close conversations with care, As you end your conversation, it’s important to make sure that you are not leaving your child in a state of distress. Try to assess their level of anxiety by watching their body language, considering whether they’re using their usual tone of voice and watching their breathing. Remind them that you care and that you’re there to listen and support…, 6. Continue to check in, As news of the conflict continues, you should continue to check in with your child to see how they’re doing. How are they feeling? Do they have any new questions or things they would like to talk about with you? If your child seems worried or anxious about what’s happening, keep an eye out for any changes in how they behave or feel, such as…, 7. Limit the flood of news, Be mindful of how exposed your children are to the news while it's full of alarming headlines and upsetting images. Consider switching off the news around younger children. With older children, you could use it as an opportunity to discuss how much time they spend consuming news and what news sources they trust. Also consider how you talk about…, 8. Take care of yourself, You’ll be able to help your kids better if you’re coping, too. Children will pick up on your own response to the news, so it helps them to know that you are calm and in control. If you’re feeling anxious or upset, take time for yourself and reach out to other family, friends and trusted people. Be mindful of how you’re consuming news: Try…

As Kasma, age 42, steps onto the veranda of the Pattingalloang Community Shelter in the outskirts of Makassar City, she is greeted by the sounds of children playing traditional games – an exuberant symphony that brings a joyful start to her mornings. Kasma sells donuts for a living. Every day she strolls around alleys in Pattingalloang from dawn…

Since 2018, the Government of Indonesia, together with UNFPA, UNICEF and the Government of Canada initiated Better and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights for All in Indonesia (BERANI). This joint publication is issued to highlights UNICEF and UNFPA programmes to address sexual and reproductive health and rights which are key determinant of…

Children's needs evolve across their lifecycle, which begins in pregnancy and continue across their early years and adolescence. This fact sheet provides the most current data about Indonesia's journey to confront key challenges facing children across their lives, building on notable progress. October 2023

Indonesia has one of the highest burdens of severe wasting in the world, one of the deadliest forms of malnutrition. Through an approach known as Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM), approximately >85per cent of severely wasted children can be successfully treated at home without requiring hospitalization, if identified early. To…