The Village Development Planning Meeting (Musrenbang) is a very crucial process for the community. Musrenbang is the first stage to accommodate the aspirations of the community, including reproductive health issues that do not involve women’s participation. Because of the importance of this issue, IPAS Indonesia partner, CIS Timor Foundation held a workshop to encourage the community to voice issues about reproductive health.
During April 2024, CIS Timor Foundation conducted this workshop in four villages (Bena, Lanu, Linamnutu, and Sunu) in South Central Timor District, East Nusa Tenggara. This activity was attended by village officials such as the Village Head, Village Local Facilitator, TKD Midwife, Head of Government Affairs, PKK (Family Empowerment and Welfare) representatives, posyandu cadres, youth representatives, religious leaders, traditional leaders, community leaders and women leaders.
“Especially in this workshop, the community conveyed ideas or proposals in the health sector, especially on the issue of reproductive health and maternal and child health (MCH) in their respective villages, which were then responded to by facilitators from the Community Empowerment Office,” said CIS Timor Foundation staff Wemrits Nenohaifeto.
The main discussion during the workshop was related to the large number of pregnant women who give birth at home. This happens because access to health facilities is difficult both in terms of distance and road conditions. In addition, the community also discussed the high rate of unwanted pregnancies among teenagers.
In fact, in South Central Timor District itself, there is already a Regional Regulation (Perda) No. 6 of 2013 concerning Health Services for Mothers, Newborns, and Children Under Five Years or what is usually abbreviated as KIBBLA. This regulation comprehensively regulates counseling, prevention, treatment and recovery related to the health of mothers, babies and children.
Even so, the implementation of this Perda is still a challenge. Among them is the lack of consistency from the village to implement the regulation. This is because there is no village regulation to support the KIBBLA regulation. In addition, public awareness is also lacking. In fact, the regulation also regulates fines for residents who do not implement it. For example, pregnant women who do not give birth in health facilities will be fined Rp. 200,000. Then, mothers who do not use contraception after giving birth are also subject to a fine of Rp. 100,000.
The implementation of the KIBBLA regulation became an important discussion during the workshop. One of the participants, Mr. Onesimus Feliks, Head of the Bena Village Government Section, said that the implementation of the KIBBLA regulation needs special attention for each village. “In the near future [saya] will communicate with the BPD to immediately establish the KIBBLA Village Regulation in Bena,” he said.
In addition, his party will also work with the church to socialize related to unwanted pregnancies among teenagers. “We in the church have implemented the rules we discussed (Perda KIBBLA) and while there is a flash catechization with a flash persuasive approach from the church for young people who are not married but already live in one house,” he added.
Given the importance of the KIBBLA regulation, during the workshop, the proposal that will be submitted at the Musrenbangdes is related to the making of derivative regulations so that the village has a strong foundation in implementing the regulation. “Because the KIBBLA regulation contains all the things that regulate the health of mothers, newborns and children up to the fines that will be given if they violate the rules in the KIBBLA regulation,” said CIS Timor Foundation staff, Sherly Y. Sinlae.
Regarding the proposals discussed during the workshop, one of the participants as well as a religious figure, Mrs. Indah Radja, said that she was optimistic that the proposals would be considered in the Musrenbang. According to her, issues related to reproductive health need to be followed up by each village.
“I am very optimistic[tis] because the struggles of this village are related to stunting, malnutrition, maternal and infant health. Therefore, a pregnancy itself must be planned and even giving birth must also be planned properly, because if we engage in sexual behavior outside of marriage, all of these problems will automatically be born and will be a long-term struggle,” she said.
This workshop is part of the activities of the TAKENUSA project (Tekad Bersama untuk Kesehatan Perempuan Nusa Tenggara Timur). The objectives of this project include providing technical support to health providers to strengthen postnatal care services, improve access to contraceptive services and provide education related to reproductive health.
