Increase Access To Women's Health, Focus On Health Reproduction And Protection

Director General of Public Health of the Ministry of Health Maria Endang Sumiwi said at the National Women's Conference in Jakarta. (ANTARA/Mecca Yumna)

JAKARTA - Access to health for women is an important aspect in achieving gender equality and community welfare.

The availability of comprehensive health services for women throughout their life cycle, from reproductive health to handling cases of violence, is a crucial step in improving the quality of their lives. Therefore, policies that support women's health access must continue to be strengthened and expanded.

The Ministry of Health has issued Regulation of the Minister of Health Number 2 of 2025 concerning the Implementation of Reproduction Health Efforts as part of a special effort to improve access to health services for women, especially in terms of reproductive health.

The Director General of Public Health at the Ministry of Health, Maria Endang Sumiwi, at the National Women's Conference in Jakarta on Tuesday, said that this regulation covers various important aspects. Some of them are prevention and handling of sexual violence, abortion services for medical indications, elimination of women's circumcision practices, and increasing access to reproductive health services for vulnerable groups.

"This regulation regulates various stages in the life cycle of women, ranging from education and skills related to reproductive health, elimination of women's circumcision practices, immunization, health screening, nutrition supplementation, to the provision of contraceptives and abortion services in accordance with medical indications," he explained.

As a form of further commitment, the Ministry of Health has also formed a Health Service Directorate for Vulnerable Groups. This directorate focuses on health services for victims of violence, including women, children, and people with disabilities who experience physical and psychological violence.

"We have included health service standards for victims of violence, which include early detection, emergency handling, medical management, examination of evidence, visum et repertum, as well as medical referrals and psychosocial rehabilitation," he added.

Currently, health services for victims of violence are available in around 21.8 percent of hospitals and 60 percent of health centers throughout Indonesia. However, the Ministry of Health is targeting to increase the coverage of this service so that all health facilities can provide optimal support for victims of violence.

In addition to implementing this regulation, there are other efforts made to expand access to health for women. One of the main issues that get attention is the reduction in maternal mortality rates, which are prioritized at various levels of service, from communities to advanced health facilities.

To improve service effectiveness, the Ministry of Health continues to improve service governance for women, covering periods before pregnancy, during pregnancy, childbirth, and after delivery. In addition, health education for women is also carried out through various platforms, including online communities such as WhatsApp groups, as well as collaboration with local governments so that health messages are more easily understood and implemented by the public.

With increasing access to health for women, it is hoped that gender equality can be achieved more quickly, and women have better independence and quality of life.