Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Population and Family Development Ministry/National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) appealed to Indonesian married couples to set aside egos and respond to differing political preferences prudently during the Regional Head Elections 2024.

When contacted from Jakarta on Wednesday, BKKBN's Deputy for Advocacy, Mobilization, and Information, Sukayo Teguh Santoso, observed that egoism has been the actual cause of tension and conflicts between a wife and husband regarding elections.

"The root of the problem is not the political aspect. It is rather the matter of whether husbands and wives stick to their own egos," he pointed out.

On that note, he emphasized the importance of a wife and husband collaborating to build mutual understanding to alleviate tension and avoid domestic conflict.

Santoso then alluded to Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar's report about different political preferences among wives and husbands leading to 500 divorces in a province in Indonesia.

The official assessed that other factors besides contrasting political views might trigger such a phenomenon.

"Bearing this in mind, the BKKBN has been promoting a family-building program that provides people with comprehensive guidance from adolescence to marriage life. We are educating prospective brides and grooms," he stated.

He highlighted that through the program, the government offers services and information related to a family's religious, affectionate, educational, socio-cultural, reproductive, environmental, economic, and protective functions.

"It is important to explain these eight functions to those planning marriage, telling them that a family is essentially meant to unite two different persons," he emphasized.

Drawing attention to reproductive health, Santoso affirmed that it is vital for prospective brides and grooms to undergo physical and psychological examinations to prepare for a smooth birth and protect their future child from stunting.

Related news: Government's quick strategies for three million houses program

Related news: Family support essential to cancer survivors: Deputy Minister Tan



Translator: Lintang B, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2024