Effectiveness of Free Nutritional Meal Program (Mbg) As a Legal Instrument in Protecting Children's Rights in Indonesia

Cut Wahidah Mumtaza; Parningotan  Malau; Josmangasi  Simbolon; Fanny Aliet  Yulianti

doi:10.59613/armada.v5i3.5311

Cut Wahidah Mumtaza Universitas Riau Kepulauan
Parningotan Malau Universitas Riau Kepulauan
Josmangasi Simbolon Universitas Riau Kepulauan
Fanny Aliet Yulianti Universitas Riau Kepulauan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59613/armada.v5i3.5311

Keywords: Law, children's rights, nutrition, MBG, legal protection

Abstract

The Free Nutritious Meals Program (MBG) is a strategic policy aimed at fulfilling children's right to adequate nutrition as part of the legal protection of human rights. This study analyses the effectiveness of MBG as a legal instrument in guaranteeing children's nutritional rights in Indonesia. This is a normative (doctrinal) legal research employing a statute approach, with limited use of a historical approach to trace the evolution of nutrition-related policies in Indonesia. The analysis focuses on relevant legal instruments, including the 1945 Constitution, Law No. 36 of 2009 on Health, and Presidential Regulation No. 42 of 2020 on Stunting Reduction. The findings reveal that although MBG has a sufficient legal foundation, its effectiveness is hindered by weak monitoring mechanisms, lack of strict sanctions, and low public awareness of their legal rights. Therefore, regulatory strengthening and legal education are essential to enhance the program's effectiveness as an instrument for protecting children's rights.