President Calls For Protection Of Children

Jakarta, Aug 29 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called for the protection of children from any form of abuse, both physical and mental, to enable them to grow healthily. "Over the past few years, with regard to children, the government has had two main agenda - their protection and their empowerment," he said in his address on the occasion of National Child Day here on Wednesday. "However, above the government`s agenda, the role of parents is more important in educating and rearing children," the President added. He pointed out that parents were responsible for the protection of children from various forms of crimes, violence, exploitation, and discrimination. "Empowering the children means giving them education and guidance," the head of state explained. President Yudhoyono said children must not be abandoned or be subject to harsh punishment, adding that they must be "protected from bad environment". Rather than saying "no" or "don`t" to children, adults must communicate with them and help them understand the problems, he stated. The function to observe the National Child Day was held at the Keong Mas IMAX Theater, the Beautiful Indonesia in Miniature Park (TMII), eastern Jakarta, and was attended by around 700 people.