Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Bintang Puspayoga, has assured that the National Police (Polri) will provide protection to children who have lost their parents to COVID-19.

She lauded the psychosocial support provided by members of the National Police to orphaned children across Indonesia.

“We will ensure that the provided protection is appropriate, safe, and comfortable. We do not want these children to be neglected, or become the victims of child-trafficking and other things,” Puspayoga said at the Jakarta Police Education and Training Field on Tuesday.

She also took out time to greet children and people with disabilities affected by COVID-19, who were accompanied by members of the Gorontalo Regional Police, via a Zoom meeting.

Minister Puspayoga encouraged the children to keep learning to achieve their goals. She said she was amazed by one of the people with disabilities who dreamt of becoming a teacher.

At the psychosocial support event, the minister emphasized that services to children should be continuously monitored, including to their caregivers who are serving as their parents’ substitutes.

She advised the children to always be happy and passionate in pursuing their dreams.

“You must be passionate to pursue your dreams because you are an asset of the nation, the next generation of the nation. You still have parents who ensure your basic needs to become extraordinary children,” she remarked.

National Police chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Air Chief Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, and Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini also attended the event.

Separately, General Sigit Prabowo also assured that through his institution, the Indonesian government is present to protect the children and fulfill their needs.

“As a representative of this country, we must ensure that our children who have lost their families will continue to grow and have a bright future like any other kids,” he remarked.

Source: Antara News