"Actually, the biggest challenge (which the BKKBN and government face) lies in the habits and mindset of people (which need to be) changed," Head of BKKBN Hasto Wardoyo stated here on Wednesday.
The agency head delivered the statement at an event to commemorate the 30th National Family Day, in which family planning services are proffered for a million acceptors.
Following BKKBN's statement during a meeting with the House of Representatives to discuss the possibility of the stunting rate target of 14 percent not being achieved by 2024, Wardoyo stated that the government has made all-out efforts to address the several root causes of stunting.
These efforts included building toilets and water pipe networks to address the issue of sanitation in some areas, he pointed out. However, despite such measures already been taken, some people would still rather dump human waste into the river or even wash their clothes there, Wardoyo pointed out.
Moreover, the Social Affairs Ministry has disbursed funding for beneficiaries through its Family Hope Program in a bid to assist them in providing nutritious foods, though according to some findings, some families spent the money on cigarettes instead, he revealed.
"With regard to this, we have to constantly (remind) the families to change their mindsets. Sometimes, while taking care of children, anything that would be eaten is given, such as noodles, but often other sources of animal protein were forgotten in the list," Wardoyo stated.
The other issue in stunting reduction is the lack of knowledge about healthy reproductive choices, he highlighted. Wardoyo drew attention to several newlyweds, who had no idea of the importance of planning pregnancies or maintaining reproductive health.
"Their capability is limited to throwing parties or buying makeup. Hence, it is not about how to ensure a healthy pregnancy or how to be well-prepared for pregnancy," he noted.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma S, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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