Implementing Children’s Rights in Child-Friendly Cities: Learning from Jakarta
摘要
In rapid urbanization and globalization, ensuring children’s rights in metropolitan areas has become an urgent global concern. Every child is entitled to health, education, protection, participation, and equitable treatment. However, recent incidents in Indonesia—including child homicides, family suicides involving children, and increased bullying—reveal critical gaps in child protection systems. As a signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), Indonesia must uphold these rights. One national strategy to realize this commitment is the Child-Friendly City Initiative (CFCI), formalized through Presidential Regulation No. 25 of 2021. As Indonesia’s capital and a rising global city, Jakarta has taken a leading role in this initiative. Nevertheless, rapid urban development and persistent socio-economic inequalities often limit children’s access to safe spaces, quality services, and opportunities for participation. This chapter examines Jakarta’s implementation of the CFCI, focusing on the Ruang Publik Terpadu Ramah Anak (RPTRA) program—an innovative model integrating child protection and development into urban planning. Using Jakarta’s Action Plan Toward CFC (2018–2022), complemented by fieldwork, interviews, and policy analysis, the chapter analyzes how local strategies respond to global urban challenges. The findings suggest that RPTRA supports key CFCI indicators such as non-discrimination, participation, and access to clean, safe environments through multi-stakeholder collaboration and integrated services. The chapter argues that promoting children’s rights is a national obligation and a critical measure of Jakarta’s transformation into a fair and inclusive global city. Jakarta’s experience offers valuable insights into how urban governance can align with global ideals of equity, justice, and sustainability, highlighting the central role of child-centered planning in shaping inclusive urban futures.