Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) is a topic that is often discussed, even so the discussion still focuses on the normative level, such as the fulfillment of SRHR for each individual and is associated with issues of morality, which is a scourge for SRHR issues because it is still considered taboo.
Indonesia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates (MMR) in Southeast Asia, with 305 deaths per 100,000 live births. The top three causes of maternal mortality in Indonesia are bleeding (during pregnancy, childbirth and or in the post-partum period), eclampsia, and infection. All three causes are preventable.
One factor that increases the risk of maternal mortality is access to quality health services, including access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services.
In order to contribute to the reduction of MMR and the fulfillment of women’s SRHR, in 2017-2020 the IPAS Indonesia Foundation is running an Integrated Women’s Reproductive Health Improvement (PEKERTi) program.
The focus of this program is to strengthen the health system for the Post Abortion Care (PAC) program, education and promotion of SRHR at the community level with the hope of reducing maternal deaths related to reproductive health problems as well as unplanned pregnancies, and bleeding due to miscarriage.
For 3 years, PEKERTi was implemented in Yogyakarta City, Klaten District and Ponorogo District together with various partners, ranging from national and local governments, health facilities, professional organizations, academics, to local community organizations.
Some of the achievements that have been successfully carried out for 3 years of working with partners are the development of the National Guidelines for Comprehensive Post Abortion Care Services; various series of activities such as training and workshops for doctors, midwives, community groups, media workers, etc.; making PAC Service Modules for use by health facilities throughout Indonesia; providing Comprehensive PAC services in 7 Hospitals and 6 Puskesmas;
Although this program ended in December 2020, IPAS Indonesia hopes that what has been carried out can be continued by related parties and spread widely to other regions in Indonesia. IPAS Indonesia Foundation itself will remain committed to continuing its contribution in reducing MMR, preventing unintended pregnancy and including unsafe abortion.