Indonesia : Issues
There are many important issues that affect the lives of the almost 60,000 boys and girls, their brothers and sisters and their families that Plan support in Indonesia.
Children have shared with us that their voices are not heard and that their opinions are not taken into consideration. That happens in many countries where traditional norms survive until today. Not listening to children means that we can only guess what their needs are without knowing with certainty. The educational system in Indonesia is meant for the pupils and students to accept what the teachers say and to copy what they hear and see. Children's creativity and critical thinking are not encouraged.
Despite the softness with which most parents care for their children we have also learned from the children themselves that child abuse and violation are not rare phenomena in Indonesia.
Unemployment in these times of economic hardship is a widespread problem. For the many children who graduate from school each year it is almost certain that they will not find a job.
The growing number of children working on the street is another indicator that the country is facing deep problems. The street children are prone to extortion and abuse, especially the girls.
Discrimination against girls and women is widespread in a society that is patriarchal and paternalistic alike. Women have their traditional roles in society as wives and mothers. While husbands are the heads of the family, the women have the heaviest workloads.
Addressing the Issues
PLAN Indonesia is addressing the fundamental issues (causes for poverty and deprivation) through four strategic directions:
enhancing the ability and capacity of families and communities to provide for their basic needs
strengthening Community Based Organizations so that they can provide development that enhances, protects and preserves indigenous knowledge, practices and resources
assisting girls and boys to participate in their own development and to make choices
assisting deprived boys, girls, their families and communities so that they will collaborate in equitable and profitable partnerships necessary to meet their aspirations and development needs
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