Antara News·Indonesia·Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 10:10 AM UTC

Ministry urges villages to strengthen parenting to curb child marriage

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Tri Meilani, Raka Adji

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection has urged village governments to strengthen family-based parenting to prevent child marriage and address other issues that hinder children’s growth and development.

“Parents and families have a responsibility to nurture, care for, educate, and protect children,” said Endah Sri Rejeki, the ministry’s Assistant Deputy for Coordination of Policy Implementation on Children’s Rights.

Speaking at a virtual meeting on strengthening the role of villages in preventing and addressing cases of out-of-school children, monitored in Jakarta on Wednesday, Endah emphasized that parenting within the family is essential to fulfilling children’s rights.

Inadequate parenting can expose children to various risks, including neglect, violence, dropping out of school, and child marriage, she said.

According to Endah, families facing economic, social, or psychological difficulties are more vulnerable to stress and conflict, potentially undermining their ability to provide children with a safe environment, affection, education, and proper care.

She said village governments should therefore prioritize support for vulnerable families to ensure children receive adequate care and protection from various risks.

Endah expressed hope that stronger family support would help prevent child marriage and ensure that children have opportunities to grow and develop to their full potential, including by remaining in school.

The ministry reported that Indonesia’s Child Rights Fulfillment Index increased from 68.87 in 2024 to 70.19 in 2025. The Special Child Protection Index also rose, from 80.32 to 81.98.

The ministry also recorded a decline in the child marriage rate, from 5.90 percent in 2024 to 4.56 percent in 2025.

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