NTT Elementary Student Suicide: Minister Calls for Strengthened Child Protection

Tragedy in NTT: Elementary School Student’s Suicide Prompts Calls for Strengthened Child Protection

Jakarta – A fourth-grade student in Ngada, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), has died by suicide, prompting a response from the Minister of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA), Arifah Fauzi. The Minister emphasized the need for consistent implementation of child protection programs.

“We express our deepest condolences to the victim’s family. This event serves as a reminder that strengthening the child protection system through the implementation of Child-Friendly Cities/Regencies (KLA) must run consistently at the family and community levels,” Arifah Fauzi stated on Thursday, February 5, 2026, according to a written statement.

Arifah stressed that the KLA program should not be merely regulatory, but should provide tangible benefits for children. “The state must not be absent in ensuring that every child receives protection, education, and a safe space to grow and develop. Central and local governments must ensure that KLA policies do not stop at regulations, but are truly felt by children,” she said.

Protecting children is not solely the responsibility of the state, the Minister added. She called on families, schools, and the community to strengthen child protection efforts. “Every child is a trust. Protecting children is not only the responsibility of the state, but also of families, schools, and the community. We must work together to create a safe and supportive environment for children,” she stated.

Arifah also highlighted the need to consider the issue within a broader context, noting a vulnerability among boys that often goes unnoticed. Data from the Ministry of PPPA’s Online Information System for the Protection of Women and Children (SIMFONI-PPA) indicates that more than 6,000 boys experienced violence – physical, psychological, or sexual – throughout 2025.

She explained that boys often find it difficult to express themselves due to social constructs. “This event needs to be placed in a broader context. Boys also have vulnerabilities that are often invisible because of social constructs that limit them from expressing emotions and asking for help,” she said.

“The SIMFONI-PPA data shows that many boys choose to remain silent due to stigma and fear. This condition confirms that child protection must be inclusive and responsive to the needs of victims without distinguishing gender. Boys have the right to feel safe to talk and ask for help. No child should feel alone in facing difficulties,” she continued.

The Minister’s statement follows a tragic incident that underscores the ongoing challenges in ensuring the well-being of children in Indonesia, particularly in regions like NTT. The call for strengthened child protection programs and increased awareness of the vulnerabilities faced by boys highlights the need for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to safeguarding the rights and welfare of all children.