In Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Saturday, head of the Makassar Office of the ministry, H. Irman, said that he, as a new official, will utilize resources to educate youth groups so that they can create quality and stunting-free families.
"The stunting issue is something that needs to be paid attention to by everyone, including the Religious Affairs Ministry. We also have a program specifically for educating prospective brides," he noted.
His administration has continued to encourage the creation of quality families to ensure the birth of healthy, stunting-free children.
The ministry is conducting outreach and providing marriage guidance to prospective brides and school-age children.
As part of an effort to accelerate the reduction in the stunting rate, his administration will involve all madrasah schools, the Religious Affairs Office, and religious educators in Makassar.
“The Religious Affairs Office has a major contribution and is one of the (institutions at the) forefront because they are always in direct contact with the community. God willing, we will also coordinate and collaborate with the Makassar city government," he said.
The National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) is also forging stronger collaboration with the National Defense Forces to reduce stunting in 24 districts and cities in South Sulawesi.
Head of the South Sulawesi Representative Office of the agency, Andi Ritamariani, said that the stunting reduction program outreach with the National Defense Forces is a follow-up to their collaboration following the appointment of the commander of the District Military Command XIV/Hasanuddin, Major General Totok Imam Santoso, as Stunting Children's Foster Father (BAAS).
The efforts to reduce stunting in Indonesia are based on Vice President Ma'ruf Amin's program to bring down the rate of childhood stunting to 14 percent by 2024.
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Translator: Abdul Kadir, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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