East Java and UNICEF Strengthen Gender Equality and Child Protection

KETIK, MALANG – East Java’s Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) and UNICEF convened a meeting on gender mainstreaming and UNICEF work planning at Ijen Suites Resort & Convention in Malang, scheduled for 26–28 October 2026. It marks the start of Indonesia–UNICEF cooperation for 2026–2030, with East Java among the focus provinces.

The meeting focuses on embedding gender equality, children’s rights and protection across provincial programmes—not only within agencies responsible for women and children.

Arie Rukmantara, Chief of UNICEF’s Java Field Office, called for investment in education, health and digital skills so girls can pursue leadership in government, business, science and technology.

"We are happy to see that the province of East Java is actually trying to harmonize everything into one ecosystem of child rights and gender awareness," Arie said.

The partnership builds on practical results in East Java. UNICEF reported that its Generasi Terampil initiative with Markoding had reached almost 2,500 students in the province, 75 per cent of them girls, with digital, entrepreneurial and transferable skills. 

It then evolved into the Skills for the Future program, embedded under the Dual Track Program under the initiative of the East Java Provincial Education Office. 

On child protection, UNICEF and LPA East Java’s SAFE4C programme supported at least 14 districts and cities and 70 villages in the past two years to build safer, child-friendly environments, according to the provincial government.

A December 2025 review of UNICEF-supported BERANI II work in Malang and Jember reported establishing village children’s forums and stronger local prevention mechanisms. 

These are concrete gains, but programme reach and fewer marriage dispensations alone do not establish a reduction in child marriage; unregistered marriages and continued access to education remain concerns.

Arie stressed that protection requires both preventing violence and effective response services, alongside accessible healthcare, inclusive education, safe water, clean air and digital opportunities. 

Agencies such as DP3A help connect victims with support, rehabilitation and medical referrals; coverage depends on the applicable assistance scheme.

“For every child, we hope East Java will be the place where the Golden Generation of Indonesia will thrive and strive and be ready to take on the world and become inspiration on the world stage,” he said.(*)