Surabaya's National Children's Day (thus will be abbreviated as HAN) celebrations in 2024 were marked by a series of positive and creative activities involving various community elements. Under the theme of "Protected Children, Advanced Indonesia" along with the sub-theme of "Children's Voices Building the Nation," HAN is an important moment to realise a Child-Friendly Indonesia by 2030 and a Golden Indonesia by 2045.

Head of the Surabaya City Department of Empowerment, Women and Child Protection, and Population Control and Family Planning of Surabaya, Ida Widayanti, stated that HAN is a moment for all parties to fight for the rights and education of children as the nation's future generation.

"The inspiration for the creative activities celebrating HAN 2024 in Surabaya also stemmed from children's views," said Ida Widayanti, on Tuesday (23/7/2024).

The Surabaya City Government organised various activities to commemorate HAN 2024. Among them were Capacity Building Public Speaking, Dangers of Drugs, Juvenile Delinquency, and Prevention of Child Marriage on Thursday, 11 July 2024.

"These activities involved representatives of youth organisations across Surabaya, including SNL (Surabaya Next Leader), FAS (Forum Anak Surabaya), Genre (Planned Generation), and Karang Taruna," she explained.

Then, on Friday, 12 July 2024, Pemkot Surabaya held a Training of Trainers (ToT) for the Prevention of Child Marriage for the Family Welfare Empowerment (PKK) cadres in Surabaya.

"The participants were the Chairpersons of the Family Welfare Empowerment at the district and sub-district levels, as well as the cadres from the sub-districts," Ida clarified.

Furthermore, on Tuesday, 23 July 2024, Ida explained that the Surabaya City Government conducted a socialisation of the Mayoral Regulation Number 32 of 2024 and the fulfilment of husbands' obligations post-divorce. This event was attended by welfare section heads of the districts and sub-districts, Children and Women Protection Task Force, and Community Learning Center throughout Surabaya. "This socialisation event was held at Graha Sawunggaling, Surabaya City Hall," she added.

In addition, Ida highlighted that HAN 2024 celebrations in Surabaya also included mangrove planting activities at Gunung Anyar Mangrove Botanical Garden (KRM) on Friday, 26 July 2024.

"This activity involved 223 people from various children's organisations, including FAS, Genre, and the Surabaya's Student Organisation," she said.

Aside from tree planting, on Saturday, 27 July 2024, Pemkot Surabaya also held a Creativity Festival for the Early Education Level (PAUD) featuring mother-and-child lunchbox decorating and colouring activities. "This activity was attended by 372 people at the Gunung Anyar Mangrove Botanical Garden," she added.

The peak of HAN 2024 celebrations in Surabaya will be held on Thursday, 15 August 2024, with the HAN 2024 Festival held at Atlantis Land, Kenjeran Park.

Ida added that the HAN 2024 Festival would feature various events, including the Children's Congress themed "Absorbing Diversity, Listening to Various Ideas," a public speaking contest, an English debate, and photography competition organised by FAS.

"The HAN 2024 Festival will also be enlivened with children's creative performances, including performances by children with disabilities," she concluded. (*)