Children are a valuable asset to a nation’s long-term viability. They will be proud of themselves in the future and are expected to serve as stand-ins for the person in charge of governing a country. As a response, many countries have taken their assignments very deeply in order to do their best for the benefit of the next generation of the nation.
What about the Indonesian government’s commitment to promoting and shielding the children of Papua and West Papua? How far have the recommendations gotten in Papua in terms of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? So, here are some details concerning this matter.
The SDGs in West Papua
Childhood is a magical time. A critical moment that will be utilized as a standard for future success. That is why sustainable growth begins here. In periods like this, the role of parents is critical. Encourage the kids favorably so that it will have a beneficial influence on their combating force in the future.
The SDGs, or Sustainable Development Goals, were initially articulated in UN Resolution 70/1, “Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” The program was started in order to conserve and develop the world and all of its inhabitants, as well as to promote prosperity and peace for all by 2030.
In simpler words, the SDGs consist of 17 goals backed by 169 goals aimed at measuring the social, economic, and environmental components of sustainable development. The Sustainable Development Goals include a number of initiatives aimed at helping the nation’s next generation be strong and dependable.
Assuring that children grow up free of anything that hinders their growth and development, such as ensuring access to education and health care and keeping children out of the welfare trap.
To put it another way, the Sustainable Development Goals are built on a strong emphasis on opportunity and justice. As a matter of fact, today’s children’s services are a key indicator of progress toward reaching the SDGs.
Indonesia now has 84 million children, constituting one-third of the country’s population. West Papua has 331,000 children, or roughly 38 percent of the total population, with one-third living in urban areas.
Investing in children and young people is critical to achieving sustainable development, and tracking progress in children is fundamental in determining which expenditures to prioritize. Because, according to the SDG notion, kids are transformational leaders and pioneers.
The Goals
The SGD formulation, as aforementioned, has 17 performance goals. However, not all of these missions are aimed at children. Thus, here is an excerpt of a child-related target:
1. Poverty Reduction (Goal No. 1)
Over the next 15 years, the first aim of sustainable development is to end poverty in all of its manifestations. In 2015, at least 104,000 children in West Papua struggled financially. This statistic is simply the number of households that are vulnerable and have an income that is somewhat above the poverty level.
2. Alleviation of Hunger (Goal No. 2)
The second goal is to promote the pursuit of tangible solutions to end hunger and all types of malnutrition by 2030. This aim will definitely need a considerable amount of time and effort as there are still countless examples of malnutrition in many parts of the world, particularly in rural communities that are prone to poverty.
Fulfilling optimal nutritional demands is the first step toward ensuring one’s life, especially for the growth and development of children, who will later be the country’s strong breed.
Yet, the necessity of exclusive breastfeeding for children in West Papua remains much lower than the national average. One in every five babies is born prematurely, and 45 percent of children under the age of five are stunted.
3. Healthy and Prosperous Life (Goal No. 3)
Number 3 is to promote reproductive, maternal, and child health to secure better health and improve the well-being of all people of all ages.
Focus on implementing health programs that will end major contagious disease epidemics, minimize non-communicable and environmental illnesses, achieve universal health coverage, and guarantee that all people have access to safe, cheap, and effective treatments and vaccinations.
4. Quality Education (Goal No. 4)
This mission is intended to give chances for lifelong learning. The emphasis is on obtaining fundamental and higher-order skills at all stages of education and development, as well as expanding and ensuring fair access to an excellent education.
5. Gender Equality (Goal No. 5)
This goal is meant for children and women, who are typically the most susceptible targets. It was established to end all types of prejudice and violence that frequently afflicted the two classes. Besides, there is still a lot of violence against women in this region.
6. Clean Water and Proper Sanitation (Goal No. 6)
Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are critical parts of human life. This sixth goal is to secure the provision and management of safe drinking water and sanitation for all people, from households to health care institutions. Unfortunately, WASH conditions in West Papua remain deplorable.
7. Decent Work and Economic Growth (Goal No. 8)
Goal number eight is to guard youngsters from potentially harmful employment situations. In 2009, one out of every fourteen kids aged 5 to 17 was working a risky job.
8. Climate Change (Goal No. 13)
9. Peace Justice and Strong Institutions (Goal No. 16)
Up to this point, the state of West Papua has been graded quite low for each parameter. The sign of total vaccine coverage is the poorest, while the indicators of minimal reading ability and proper drinking water are the most heartening.
