Indonesia is known worldwide as a country that has succeeded in developing a population and family planning (KB) program through The National Population and Family Planning Board (BKKBN).
As a result, many countries are interested in learning about these success strategies from Indonesia.
Located in Bandung, West Java, BKKBN collaborated with the Ministry of State Secretariat (Kemensetneg) and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA) to organize Knowledge Sharing on Reproductive Health, Family Welfare, Gender Mainstreaming, and Stunting Reduction for the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) The Philippines hang takes place November 28 – December 2, 2022.
This activity is a forum for exchanging experiences under the South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC) framework related to knowledge regarding reproductive health, family welfare, gender mainstreaming, and reducing stunting for BARMM Philippines.
Head of BKKBN Dr. (H.C) dr. Hasto Wardoyo Sp.OG (K), represented by Deputy for Training, Research and Development of BKKBN Prof. drh. M. Rizal M Damanik, M, Rep. S.c, Ph.D. in his remarks, said that this knowledge sharing was designed by adapting global training on developing strategic partnerships with Muslim religious leaders in family planning.
“Knowledge sharing aims, firstly, to increase participants’ knowledge and understanding of Islamic perspectives in reproductive health and family welfare, which includes gender-based violence, child marriage, and reducing pregnancy. Second, increase participants’ understanding of the role of Muslim Religious Leaders (MRLs) and Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs), and thirdly, disseminate Islamic values and teachings in seminars,” said Rizal.
Rizal hopes that the UNFPA Philippines can see different Indonesian programs to take the best capacity for the interests of the Philippine state program.
Meanwhile, Country Representative Indonesia at UNFPA, Anjali Sen, who was present online, said that this activity discussed thematic issues from an Islamic perspective. Specifically how Islam looks at family planning, adolescent reproductive health, prevention and response to violence against women and child marriage, and effective approaches involving Muslim religious leaders and their role in promoting the program.
“This training will also be an opportunity to discuss, reflect on and share experiences from the Philippines involving the perspective of the Muslim religion in the program,” he said.
Anjali hopes that with productive collaboration and relations between the two countries, the unfinished International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) and sustainable development goals in Cairo (2030) can be reached.
“I also believe that the collaboration obtained through training will be further strengthened and beneficial for all involved,” continued Anjali.
On the other hand, the Head of the Foreign Technical Cooperation Bureau of the Ministry of State Secretariat of the Republic of Indonesia Noviyanti, S.IP, M.A.I.D added the Sharing Knowledge for BARRM of the Philippines Youth Muslim Leaders in Indonesia program has been implemented since 2016 and was attended by participants from nine countries.
“Since then, the Ministry of State Secretariat has invited many countries to come to Indonesia to experience and share Indonesia’s success stories in population development and family planning,” he said.