"In the efforts to pursue stunting rate reduction, the family has a very crucial role, particularly in (adopting) good care practices and creating an environment with sanitation that meets health standards," head of BKKBN Hasto Wardoyo remarked here on Thursday.
Stunting is a condition in which children's growth and development are compromised due to chronic nutritional deficiency, repeated infections, and an environment that is not supportive, he explained.
The condition is marked by short height in children that does not meet the standard of height in those their age, he remarked.
Wardoyo cited the 2022 National Nutrition Status Study (SSGI) that showed the stunting prevalence rate was at 21.6 percent, thereby indicating that one in every five children has stunted growth.
"Hence, broadening the horizon and knowledge of families and communities are important in preventing stunting and preparing children, so they would grow and develop optimally and become an advanced generation," he emphasized.
Wardoyo underscored the need to increase everyone's commitment in pushing for the role of families in stunting reduction, so as to ensure that the program ran successfully.
During the fight for freedom and independence in 1945, many were asked to join the war, deputy of advocacy, initiative, and information at BKKBN Sukaryo Teguh Santoso stated.
Several families had to sacrifice their lives, assets, and family members in order to gain independence, he noted.
Despite independence being proclaimed on August 17, 1945, the Dutch only gave such acknowledgement on June 22, 1949, he remarked.
At that time, the fighters, who lost their lives to the war, were buried, with some being known while others going unrecognized, he pointed out.
On the other hand, fighters, who made it alive, reunited with their families after being separated for long, he added.
The day when fighters got to finally see their families on June 29, 1949, became the start of National Family Day, as per Presidential Decree Number 39 of 2014 on National Family Day that set the date for the national day, Santoso stated.
On June 29, 1970, the government officially made family planning a national program, coinciding with the establishment of BKKBN, which was named the National Coordination and Family Planning Board, he remarked.
"The fight to build Indonesia and families is done (simultaneously). Building families also means building the nation. The commemoration of Family Day is the initiative to remind all Indonesians of how important family is," Santoso concluded.
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Translator: Hreeloita Dharma Shanti, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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