TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Parents need to obtain birth certificates for their children to ensure their rights as Indonesian citizens are protected once they grow up, stated Rita Pranawati, deputy chair of the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI).

"Why is (birth certificate) essential? Because as their first identity certificate with their ID number recorded, it is legally important for our child. That is why the birth certificate should not be traded and must be free from age fabrication during the certificate recording," Pranawati said during a webinar originating from here on Saturday.

She pointed out that based on recent data, more than five million Indonesian children do not have birth certificates.

One current difficulty being faced by children who do not have birth certificates is that they are losing out on the opportunity to get vaccinated despite the authorities rolling out vaccinations for their age group, she said.

Children in state-owned and private orphanages are also facing the same issue, she added.

"The Health Minister has understood this issue. He just recently relaxed the vaccination criteria as recipient candidates often have no ID number or birth certificate, and consequently cannot be registered to receive the vaccine," Pranawati explained.

Reflecting on the issue, she urged parents to apply for birth certificates for their children as soon as they are born to protect their legal rights as Indonesian citizens in the future.

Securing a birth certificate for their offspring also shows parents' conscience to protect their children, she remarked.

Besides fulfilling their offspring's legal rights, parents ought to understand their children's needs and provide them a safe environment, she said. Only by satisfying the two necessities can parents fully protect their children's rights and future, she stressed.

Read also: KPAI: Parental Involvement Required for Child-Friendly Covid-19 Vaccination

ANTARA