Climate change worsens children's rights fulfillmen

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Climate change poses a double barrier to the fulfillment of children's rights, so there is a need for real action and collaboration to reduce its impact, according to the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture.

"The children are the ones who will bear the burden as they grow up amid the climate crisis and various issues in children's right fulfillment," said Woro Srihastuti, the ministry's Deputy for Quality Improvement of Children, Women, and Youth, on Saturday.

A 2021 UNICEF report that placed Indonesia 46th out of 163 countries in the Children's Climate Change Index has further fueled the ministry's concern. The ranking means that children in Indonesia are at high risk of experiencing the impact of climate change. In addition to climate change, Indonesia is highly vulnerable to climate-triggered or hydrometeorological disasters such as floods, landslides, forest and land fires, and tornadoes.

According to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB), 99.35 percent of the 5,400 disasters recorded in Indonesia in 2023 were hydrometeorological disasters. This vulnerability was worsened by the emergence of health issues, acute respiratory infection, diarrhea, and dengue, Srihastuti pointed out. There are also problems in accessing education after disaster occurrences and even economic issues such as poverty and food insecurity.

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"Considering the complexity of the climate change that has an impact on children, we must encourage the parties, including children and youth, to participate in carrying out real actions," she said.

She emphasized the importance of providing a safe, inclusive, and fun space for children to play an active role in criticizing and adapting to climate change.