“The ministry’s latest data recorded those in the category of neglected stood at 1,403,048 children under 5 years old, or 5.83 percent of the total 24.07 million children under 5 years old,” ministry official Titi Eko Rahayu said as quoted by Antara news agency over the weekend.

Titi said that under the category were children between 0 to 4 years old that had received substandard care. There are several criteria for a child to be considered neglected: not receiving breast milk, having an absent parent, receiving less than 14 full meals a week and receiving plant-based protein less than 14 times a week, animal protein less than two times a week or a combination of both.

Titi said Indonesia had the 2002 Child Protection Law, which guaranteed children’s rights to grow optimally.

Other criteria include a mother who is responsible for a child leaving him or her to work within a week of when the survey was done; if the child ever gets sick but doesn’t get any medical treatment; and if a child is taken care of by someone else other than the parents; and when a child is left alone by himself for at least a whole week.

By the state’s definition, child is neglected when he or she fulfills at least three criteria, Titi said. (evi)

Popular

RI, Australia strengthen partnership on taxing crypto assets

Analysis: Indonesia denies normalization with Israel to enter OECD

Citroen to produce electric cars in Indonesia