7 Districts in West Kalimantan Declare Child-Friendly City

West Kalimantan is one of province which is committed to support fulfillment of children’s rights. This commitment is stated through the signing of Declaration of Acceleration Development of Child-Friendly City (CFC). The declaration was held in March 2017 and followed by 14 districts in West Kalimantan.

Wahana Visi Indonesia (WVI) assisted 7 of 14 districts participants and 69 assisted village. The districts are Kubu Raya District, Landak District, Sambas District, Bengkayang District, Sekadau District, Sintang District and Melawi District.

Some of WVI assisted villages have village regulation and budget that have been allocated for fulfillment of children’s rights. However, not all village governments have an understanding of the CFC and the contribution that can be given to support the KLA. Whereas in order to develop the CFC required the participation of the village administration.

For that, WVI Zone of West Kalimantan organized Advocacy Workshop of CFC on December, 13rd. Local government also involved in this event to contributed CFC by implementing budgeting, regulation and End Violence Against Children campaign.

“The children violence might be happening in our area. It is like being seen but often ignored because of ignorance or lack of information from or for the community," said Hendrikus, as a Head of Lingga Village.

He added, by the WVI’s workshop, he felt very helpful to understand the role of village government for the realization of the CFC.

The first step to be taken in 2018 is to create a Child Protection Village Rule. In addition, the commitment to accelerate the making of a birth certificate in villages is also an action that will be done by these villages.

Written by Eduardtin H. Togas,Development Facilitator for Development Programme Approach Wahana Visi Indonesia