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The Commitment of Kulon Progo Local Government to Awaken from Its Long Slumber in Realizing a Child-Friendly Regency
By Gugah Nurani Indonesia
10 November 2025
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Kulon Progo, October 8, 2025 – The Government of Kulon Progo Regency reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the child protection system and elevating its status from a Madya (Intermediate) level to Nindya (Advanced) in the Child-Friendly Regency (Kabupaten Layak Anak – KLA) program in the meeting with Gugah Nurani Indonesia (GNI) Yogyakarta Community Development Project (CDP).
“Kulon Progo has held the Madya level Child-Friendly Regency title for almost eight years since 2017. We are now targeting an upgrade by strengthening institutional functions and cross-sector collaboration,” said Siti Sholekhah, Head of the Division for Women Empowerment, Gender Mainstreaming, and Child Development at the Department of Social Affairs, Women Empowerment, and Child Protection (Dinsos PPPA) of Kulon Progo. She emphasized that establishing the UPTD PPPA (Regional Technical Implementation Unit for Women and Child Protection) is a strategic step to ensure a comprehensive child protection system.
The event was attended by representatives from various agencies, including the Education, Youth and Sports Office; Health Office; Environmental Office; Manpower Office; Community and Village Empowerment, Population Control and Family Planning Office; Bapperida (Regional Development Planning, Research, and Innovation Agency); Girimulyo Sub-District Government; and the Village Governments of Pendoworejo and Giripurwo.
During the workshop, GNI introduced and advocated for the importance of establishing the Community-Based Child Protection System (CBCP) as a key strategy to strengthen the foundation of child protection in the region.
“PATBM is a collaborative initiative between the community, village governments, and public service institutions to create a child- and women-friendly environment,” explained Cicik.
Through this system, the community serves as the first line of defense in preventing and responding to violence against children, with full support from government bodies and development partners.
In addition to CBCP, GNI emphasized the importance of implementing a Safeguarding Policy—an organizational framework ensuring that all children and vulnerable groups are protected from violence and exploitation, both within the workplace and in the broader community.
“Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility—not only that of social organizations, but also of governments, schools, and communities,”.
The discussion that followed was dynamic, with participants sharing on-the-ground challenges such as unreported child abuse cases, early marriages driven by socio-economic factors, and the lack of children’s forums at the village level.
The Social Affairs Office recorded at least 323 children with special needs in Kulon Progo requiring targeted support, while the Balai Dikmen noted around 300 school-aged children who are not enrolled in school. The Community Empowerment Office highlighted the need to promote delayed marriage and strengthen the Model Father Movement (Gerakan Ayah Teladan) to increase fathers’ involvement in child-rearing.
A representative from Bapperida added that cross-sectoral collaboration should be expanded by engaging the private sector. Several companies, including Angkasa Pura, PLN, and Novotel, have already initiated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs related to child health, disability inclusion, and stunting prevention. Such multi-stakeholder collaboration is expected to accelerate progress toward Nindya status while fostering gender- and child-responsive village development.
This spirit of collaboration marks a renewed momentum for the Government of Kulon Progo Regency to truly “awaken from its long slumber” and accelerate its journey toward an inclusive, safe, and child-friendly community for all.
Also See:
Written by: Asfiyani – MELA Officer
Edited by: Tim Fundraising and Communication Departement
Challenges in Realizing a Child-Friendly Regency
Since achieving the Madya status in 2017, various initiatives have been implemented by multiple local government agencies (OPDs). However, several challenges remain, particularly in intersectoral coordination, community engagement, and the reinforcement of child protection mechanisms at the village level.“Kulon Progo has held the Madya level Child-Friendly Regency title for almost eight years since 2017. We are now targeting an upgrade by strengthening institutional functions and cross-sector collaboration,” said Siti Sholekhah, Head of the Division for Women Empowerment, Gender Mainstreaming, and Child Development at the Department of Social Affairs, Women Empowerment, and Child Protection (Dinsos PPPA) of Kulon Progo. She emphasized that establishing the UPTD PPPA (Regional Technical Implementation Unit for Women and Child Protection) is a strategic step to ensure a comprehensive child protection system.
Strengthening Child Protection Through Collaborative Dialogue
The meeting, held on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at the Glagah Meeting Room, Binangun I Building, Kulon Progo Government Complex, was facilitated by Cicik Sri Rejeki, Child Protection and Safeguarding Specialist from GNI.The event was attended by representatives from various agencies, including the Education, Youth and Sports Office; Health Office; Environmental Office; Manpower Office; Community and Village Empowerment, Population Control and Family Planning Office; Bapperida (Regional Development Planning, Research, and Innovation Agency); Girimulyo Sub-District Government; and the Village Governments of Pendoworejo and Giripurwo.
During the workshop, GNI introduced and advocated for the importance of establishing the Community-Based Child Protection System (CBCP) as a key strategy to strengthen the foundation of child protection in the region.
“PATBM is a collaborative initiative between the community, village governments, and public service institutions to create a child- and women-friendly environment,” explained Cicik.
Through this system, the community serves as the first line of defense in preventing and responding to violence against children, with full support from government bodies and development partners.
In addition to CBCP, GNI emphasized the importance of implementing a Safeguarding Policy—an organizational framework ensuring that all children and vulnerable groups are protected from violence and exploitation, both within the workplace and in the broader community.
“Safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility—not only that of social organizations, but also of governments, schools, and communities,”.
The discussion that followed was dynamic, with participants sharing on-the-ground challenges such as unreported child abuse cases, early marriages driven by socio-economic factors, and the lack of children’s forums at the village level.
The Social Affairs Office recorded at least 323 children with special needs in Kulon Progo requiring targeted support, while the Balai Dikmen noted around 300 school-aged children who are not enrolled in school. The Community Empowerment Office highlighted the need to promote delayed marriage and strengthen the Model Father Movement (Gerakan Ayah Teladan) to increase fathers’ involvement in child-rearing.
A representative from Bapperida added that cross-sectoral collaboration should be expanded by engaging the private sector. Several companies, including Angkasa Pura, PLN, and Novotel, have already initiated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs related to child health, disability inclusion, and stunting prevention. Such multi-stakeholder collaboration is expected to accelerate progress toward Nindya status while fostering gender- and child-responsive village development.
A Shared Commitment Toward a Child-Friendly
The workshop concluded with a joint commitment to enhance inter-agency coordination and scale up the implementation of PATBM at the village level. The GNI Yogyakarta CDP team expressed its readiness to continue collaborating with the local government in realizing the shared vision of transforming Kulon Progo into a Child-Friendly Regency at the Nindya level—a place where every child can grow safely, healthily, and empowered.This spirit of collaboration marks a renewed momentum for the Government of Kulon Progo Regency to truly “awaken from its long slumber” and accelerate its journey toward an inclusive, safe, and child-friendly community for all.
Also See:
Instilling Positive Parenting for the Future of Children in Meulaboh with GNI and DP3AKB Aceh Barat
Promoting Creative Learning for Early Childhood Teachers: Developing the Merdeka Curriculum Based on Manggarai Local Wisdom
Written by: Asfiyani – MELA Officer
Edited by: Tim Fundraising and Communication Departement
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