Jakarta, June 6, 2024 – The Second Level Deliberation Meeting of the Plenary Session of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) agreed to pass the Draft Law (RUU) on Maternal and Child Welfare (KIA) in the First Thousand Days of Life Phase on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. The enactment of this law marks an important milestone for strengthening women’s empowerment, realizing Indonesia’s golden generation, and enhancing gender equality in the home.

Indonesia has achieved rapid and impressive social and economic growth in recent years. The trend of maternal and child mortality rates has decreased, and there has been an improvement in the provision of basic healthcare services across all regions, including remote areas. Additionally, data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) shows that the School Participation Rate (APS) in Indonesia in 2023 increased compared to 2022, with the APS for the age range of 7-15 years almost reaching 100%.

Dr. Abdul Wahib Situmorang, CEO of Yayasan CARE Peduli (YCP/CARE Indonesia), is optimistic that the Indonesian government’s enactment of the Law on Maternal and Child Welfare in the First Thousand Days of Life Phase will strengthen the rights of Indonesian women, including female workers’ rights, and promote gender equality in Indonesia. “As an organization focused on a holistic approach to achieving gender equality and justice in Indonesia, we welcome the enactment of the Law on Maternal and Child Welfare in the First Thousand Days of Life Phase. This effort involves all parties in fulfilling the rights of women and children by encouraging the role of men in caregiving as a tangible manifestation of equal relations between men and women in the household. It also strengthens female workers in the workplace and supports people with disabilities. Therefore, fulfilling children’s rights in the first thousand days of life can drive the achievement of Indonesia’s golden generation,” he stated. Furthermore, Abdul Wahib added that Indonesia still faces various issues such as the high prevalence of stunting in toddlers and the inequality and vulnerability experienced by female workers. According to him, the active participation of all parties, including the government, legislature, society, and employers, is crucial to ensuring the effective implementation of the Law on Maternal and Child Welfare in the First Thousand Days of Life Phase.

CARE Indonesia is committed to continually promoting poverty alleviation through the realization of gender equality and social inclusion, disaster preparedness and response, and climate protection, with a focus on women and children. We continue to collaborate with various parties and partners through various programs such as acceleration on stunting reduction program, strengthening and empowering groups of female workers, promoting gender equality in the workplace, enhancing the resilience of women and youth groups, and empowering women to protect important ecosystems and implement nature-based solutions across various regions of Indonesia.

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About Yayasan CARE Peduli (CARE in Indonesia)
Yayasan CARE Peduli (YCP / CARE Indonesia) is a humanitarian organization focused on disaster risk management, gender equality, and social inclusion. Officially operating as a national entity since 2018, YCP is a member of the CARE International confederation. CARE has been present in Indonesia since 1967. Globally, CARE operates in 102 countries, supporting 1,495 poverty alleviation and humanitarian assistance programs, reaching over 100 million people as of December 31, 2021. In Indonesia, the empowerment of women and girls is a top priority in every YCP program, as equality is integral to sustainable social and economic development. To learn more about our programs, please visit the Yayasan CARE Peduli website or follow YCP on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

Media enquiries, please contact:
Swiny Adestika
Branding and Public Relations Sr. Manager – Yayasan CARE Peduli
Email: swiny_adestika@careind.or.id