In Indonesia, stunting reduction is to be embedded to the family development framework.
President Joko Widodo recently appointed the National Population and Family Development Board (BKKBN) as the leading agency of stunting reduction acceleration program in Indonesia. The target is to reduce the rate stunting from 27.6 per cent as of 2019 to 14 per cent by 2024.
“Today, the president instructs and mandates BKKBN to be the Leading Agency of stunting reduction acceleration program. As the chairperson of BKKBN, I accept this mandate and I am determined to fulfill the task ahead,” said BKKBN Chairperson Hasto Wardoyo when giving a statement at the Presidents’ Office in Jakarta on Monday, 25 January 2021, following a meeting with the president and relevant stakeholders.
Up to now, stunting rate in Indonesia declines by 1.6 per cent per year. Through this instruction, the president envisions to see at least 2.7 per cent of reduction rate per year.
A number of extraordinary measures will immediately ensue to meet that target. In the same occasion, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Cultural Affairs Muhajjir Effendy said that stunting reduction efforts in Indonesia refer to Law 52 of 2009 on Population and Family Development as its legal basis.
“This means that stunting reduction is part of family development, and family development is not just about reducing birth or birth spacing, but should be comprehensive. This includes stunting reduction,” said Minister Effendy.
Stunting reduction has been a priority for the government. Without proper measures, stunting can have long-term adverse effects to the quality of Indonesia’s future workforce.
In carrying out this role, BKKBN will be supported by line ministries and will immediately formulate an action plan that is concrete, detailed, and measurable using existing stunting reduction map.
“The president also asked provinces and regencies/cities with high stunting rate to step up their efforts in stunting reduction,” he concluded.