Elimination of Violence Against Children During the Covid-19 Pandemic based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC 1989)

Abstract

Violence against children is included in the highest cases of human rights violations during the Covid-19 pandemic. It will affect and has affected the lives of children throughout the world, especially in Indonesia. Children are a vulnerable group who need special protection during this pandemic because, during the pandemic, cases of violence against children are now shifting from the home. Indonesia has ratified the United Nations Convention On The Rights Of The Child (UNCRC 1989) through Presidential Decree Number 36 of 1990, in which the formation of national legislation, Indonesia must use the same principles based on the convention. The actualization of national law has been repeatedly launched to eliminate violence against children in Indonesia. The problem formulation of this research is how to eliminate violence against children in Indonesia during the Covid-19 pandemic based on the United Nations Convention On The Rights Of The Child (UNCRC 1989). The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of the state's responsibility in realizing the elimination of violence against children during the Covid-19 pandemic based on the 1989 UNCRC. This research is an empirical descriptive study. The study results show that the 1989 UNCRC has been implemented into Law Number 35 of 2014 as a form of state obligations and responsibilities. In this case, efforts to protect, recover, prevent, and eliminate violence against children in Indonesia, especially in Makassar, have not been appropriately fulfilled and are ineffective yet. This is evident from the lack of legal counseling, and the provision of legal assistance for child victims of violence has not been optimal. Hence, many children still do not get their right to feel safe and protected during the Covid-19 pandemic. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to increase productivity, human resources, and implementation of the 1989 UNCRC to realize the elimination of child violence in Indonesia.

The “HeForshe” Approach Model to The Elimination of Violence Against Women and Children

“…Violence against women and children is a phenomenon that occurs around the world and requires attention and commitment from all parties to overcome and this is stated in the fifth SDGs goal. Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls has a target by 2030, that is ending all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere and eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls in public and private spaces, including trafficking and sexual and other forms of exploitation (Kurniasi, Sumardi & Sakharina, 2022) Violence occurs due to various differences that exist such as differences in attitudes and feelings, cultural backgrounds, changes in interests, and rapid and sudden changes in values in society that lead to conflicts or disputes between individuals in the family. As the smallest unit of society, the family has a very important role in the growth and development of children, in this case, the family plays a role in various functions, such as the function of love, education, protection, to economic functions.…”

“…According to (Suri & Noerzaman, 2020;Vasquez, 2021;Kurniasi, Sumardi & Sakharina, 2022) one of 10 ways to help end violence against women, even during a pandemic is to teach the next generation and learn from them. The examples we provide to young people is by shaping the way they think about gender, respect and human rights, starting conversations about gender roles early, and challenging the traditional features and characteristics assigned to both men and women, pointing out the stereotypes kids always face, whether in the media, on the street or at school, and let them know that it is okay to be different, encouraging a culture of acceptance, talking about consent, bodily autonomy and accountability to boys and girls, and also listening to what they have to say about their experiences in the world.…”