The Surabaya City Government officially launched two Mayor Regulations (Perwali) regarding Child-Friendly Cities. These two are Perwali Number 61 of 2024 concerning the Mechanism for Implementing Child-Friendly Cities and Perwali Number 62 of 2024 concerning the Procedures and Mechanisms for Providing Special Protection for Children.

Both of those Perwalis were issued on 23 July 2024, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of National Children's Day (HAN). While the launching of these two regulations were held with the ceremony of the 40th HAN commemoration at Atlantis Land Kenjeran Park, Surabaya, on Thursday (15/8).

The Mayor of Surabaya, Eri Cahyadi, stated that the launch of these Perwalis is a manifestation of Surabaya's commitment to presenting policies that are responsive to children.

"These Perwalis are also to ensure that every child in Surabaya gets their right to grow and develop in a supportive environment that protects their rights," said Mayor Eri

He explained that Perwali Number 61 of 2024 concerning the Mechanism for Implementing Child-Friendly Cities consists of 12 Chapters and 50 Articles. This Perwali serves as a guideline for implementing Child-Friendly Cities starting from the levels of Sub-District, District, and City.

"In addition, this Perwali also regulates various aspects needed to make Surabaya a Child-Friendly City," he said.

Not only that, Mayor Eri explained that this Perwali also includes the integration of children's rights. Starting from every process of policy-making, programs, activities to sub-activities of development.

"This Perwali also regulates the development of Child-Friendly City (KLA) through child-friendly schools, child-friendly urban villages, child-friendly health services, and child-friendly public services," he said.

In addition, Perwali Number 61 of 2024 also regulates the division of roles of various related parties, both directly and indirectly, to be responsible for fulfilling children's rights.

Meanwhile, the Head of the Department of Regional Planning, Research, and Development of Surabaya, Irvan Wahyudradjat added that Perwali Number 62 of 2024 concerning Procedures and Mechanisms for Providing Special Protection for Children, consists of 22 Chapters and 28 Articles.

"This Perwali serves as a guideline for providing protection to children in certain situations and conditions to obtain a guarantee of safety from threats that endanger their lives and well-being in their growth and development," said Irvan.

Irvan revealed that there are 16 categories of children who need special protection. These  categories consist of children in emergency situations, children in conflict with the law, children from minority and isolated groups, children who are exploited economically and/or sexually, to children who are victims of drug, alcohol, psychotropic, and other addictive substance abuse.  

"Then, children who become the victims of pornography, children with HIV and AIDS, children who are victims of kidnapping, sale, and/or trafficking, children who are victims of physical and/or psychological violence, children who are victims of sexual crimes, and children who are victims of terrorist networks," explained Irvan.

While the next category is children with disabilities, children who are victims of mistreatment and neglect, children with deviant social behavior, children who are victims of stigmatization from labeling related to their parents' conditions, and finally, children who are victims of child marriage.

"With the enactment of these two Perwalis, the city government hopes that every element of society can participate in efforts to protect and support children, so that a healthy, intelligent, and prosperous next generation can be created," he concluded. (*)