Reflection on National Children's Day 2026: Children Aren't Enough to Be Commemorated, They Must Be Protected
National Children's Day 2026, observed on July 23, carries the theme "Love Children, Protect and Build the Future" and launches the National Movement #RuangAmanNyamanAnak (Safe and Comfortable Space for Children). The reality is, data from the Federation of Indonesian Teachers Unions as of July 2026 records a spike in violence in educational units: 55 cases in the first six months, up more than 100 percent compared to the same period last year. As many as 78 percent of them are sexual violence with 275 victims; perpetrators are dominated by teachers (54.5 percent) and heads of educational institutions.
The case of a homemade bomb by a student of MAN 3 Padang on July 14, 2026, shows that children who are victims of bullying can turn into perpetrators. The root of the problem is seen from a way of life that distances religious values, weak digital supervision, and a capitalist approach that makes child protection a mere formality. Policies like Minister of Education and Culture Regulation Number 6 of 2026 are considered weakening because they hand over case handling to school principals.
Islam views children as a trust that must be protected comprehensively. The Khilafah system places the state as a protector (junnah) responsible for safeguarding the physical, mental, and faith of children. The Qur'an and hadith emphasize strict prohibition against violence and promiscuity, as well as the active role of families and communities. Stern sanctions like qisas are expected to give a deterrent effect. The commemoration of National Children's Day 2026 becomes a momentum for evaluating child protection that is not yet adequate.
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