"The role of women must be encouraged so that they do not just become beneficiaries, but also key players in the management and sustainability of the MBG program," she said in Jakarta on Wednesday.
According to Veronica, women can be at the forefront of food management, from preparing the meals and managing community-based agriculture to generating restorative economic benefits that provide financial gains for women while also protecting the environment.
"This program, which was originally intended for schoolchildren, was later expanded to include pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to reduce stunting rates. This is where we see the importance of involving women," she remarked.
The deputy minister expressed optimism that when women are given the opportunity to be actively involved, they will bring about significant change.
She noted that involving women in the management of the MBG program will improve the quality and sustainability of its implementation.
"We want the kitchens to not only serve as places for preparing food, but also develop as communities of knowledge that change people's mindsets and behaviors," she remarked.
The free meals program was launched on January 6, 2025, as one of the priority programs of President Prabowo Subianto, aimed at improving the nutritional status of children under five, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and schoolchildren up to the high school level.
With a target of reaching 82.9 million beneficiaries across Indonesia, the program is one of the largest programs implemented in the country.
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Translator: Anita Permata, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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