RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian government has emphasized that protecting children living with HIV (ADHA) must be a priority. This includes ensuring they are free from stigma and discrimination and that they enjoy their rights to health, education, care, and protection.

Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection Minister Arifah Fauzi stressed that fulfilling the rights of children living with HIV is a shared responsibility of the state and society.

“Children living with HIV must not be isolated or discriminated against. They have the right to live, grow, develop, and participate optimally. They are Indonesian children who have the same rights as others,” Minister Arifah said in Jakarta on Monday, July 27, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Her statement followed the discovery of 522 children living with HIV in Sidoarjo, East Java, including preschool and kindergarten-aged children.

Minister Arifah emphasized the state’s obligation to ensure children’s rights are fulfilled in accordance with Article 28B paragraph (2) of the 1945 Constitution, which guarantees every child the right to live, grow, and develop, and to receive protection from violence and discrimination.

She also referred to Law No. 35/2014 on Child Protection, which guarantees every child’s right to health services, education, care, protection, and participation in a manner that respects their dignity and worth.

According to Minister Arifah, health services alone are insufficient to protect children living with HIV.

They must also have access to safe, child-friendly, sustainable, and discrimination-free health services, as stipulated in Law No. 17/2023 on Health. They must also have the right to inclusive education, as stipulated in Law No. 20/2003 on the national education system.

“The rights of children living with HIV should not stop at healthcare services. They also have the right to participate in the learning process in educational institutions without rejection, exclusion, or discriminatory treatment,” she said.

Therefore, Minister Arifah emphasized that comprehensive care for children living with HIV must include medical services, psychosocial support, an inclusive environment, and protection from stigma and discrimination, so they can grow and develop optimally. ***