Indonesia’s Child Protection Commission Addresses Abhekalan Tradition in Madura, Emphasizes Wise Approach to Cultural Practices!

WIO EN – Social media has been buzzing with news about the involvement of children in elementary schools in Madura, East Java. This incident has reignited debate, prompting Indonesia’s Child Protection commission addresses Abhekalan tradition in Madura, a practice within Madura culture where young children are involved.

The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has spoken out against this phenomenon. Ai Maryati Solihah, a commissioner of KPAI, advocates for cultural transformation as a strategy to adapt the Abekalan tradition to make it more child-friendly.

“Child engagement under the age of marriage in Madura is part of a cultural context that is difficult to change due to its ties to family,” Ai Maryati explained. “However, we must erode the culture that supports this situation, as there is a risk that it will instead encourage child marriage. Cultural transformation or change is necessary.”

According to Ai Maryati, cultural transformation must involve various stakeholders, including religious leaders, community figures, organizations, and families. Family values also need to be shifted.

“We need to shift towards a more child-friendly culture, for instance, one where highly educated children are more respected, rather than the prevailing societal view that it is an honor for an elementary school child to be proposed to. I believe it is time to initiate cultural transformation,” she elaborated.

Hasto Wardoyo, Head of the National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN), emphasized that a child’s physical, physiological, and biological development is not yet complete at the age of seven.

“Let alone engagement, marriage, or even sexual intercourse, menstruation at the age of seven is already abnormal. Women should not menstruate before the age of eight. If it happens earlier, it is considered precocious puberty, and their growth is hampered. They need medical attention to delay their menstruation,” he stated.

He stressed the importance of raising the legal marriage age and educating families.

“Menstruation should not occur before the age of eight, let alone marriage. This child is only seven years old and already engaged. Therefore, education is crucial,” he asserted.

Family Psychologist Rakimin stated that child engagement can cause children to feel a loss of control over their lives and negatively impact their emotional development.

“Children who are forced to accept marriage arrangements dictated by their parents or communities may feel they have no control over their personal lives. This can affect their self-confidence and self-esteem, as well as hinder their development as individuals,” explained the lecturer in Psychology at the Nahdlatul Ulama Indonesia University (Unusia) Jakarta.