Commemorating Harkitnas, Puan Invites Mothers In Sukabumi To Fight The Dangers Of Stunting In Children

Chairman of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani. (Photo: Doc. Ist)

JAKARTA - Chairman of the House of Representatives (DPR) Puan Maharani invites mothers to fight stunting in children who are still a problem in Indonesia. This was conveyed by her during a working visit in Sukabumi, West Java, to coincide with National Awakening Day (Harkitnas) which is celebrated every May 20.

During her working visit to Sukabumi, Puan attended a stunting hazard socialization activity with the Head of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN), Hasto Wardoyo at the Harsa Building, Sukabumi City, West Java. The event was titled 'Sukabumi Against Stunting'.

When she arrived at the location, Puan was greeted enthusiastically by the majority of the event participants were women. Including the group of women, the participants of the event who came were members of 50 communities from various professions.

"On this National Awakening Day, I invite all women here and all women in Indonesia to play an active role in advancing Indonesia. Also sing the sleeves to make Indonesia victorious, so that Indonesia can enter the heyday of the Indonesian Golden Age," said Puan in an official written statement.

At the beginning of her arrival, Puan took the time to review a number of activities held at the event. Starting from free treatment to examination for prospective brides. Puan also visited a number of booths at the location, including an anti-stunting healthy food booth.

Even at the Genre Zone booth, Puan plays ladder snakes with visitors. Stan, which is opened by the BKKBN, aims to train the younger generation to think critically as well as a means of socializing reproductive health.

When visiting the booths, Puan had a warm conversation with a number of young mothers and women who were present. Like when he visited the post-labor assistance booth which was established to provide an explanation of the health of mothers and children from an early age, especially regarding the dangers of stunting.

Puan was surprised by the remarks of a flash mob from various women's and women's communities in Sukabumi.

"Thank you for the lively welcome," said the first woman to serve as chairman of the DPR RI.

When delivering her speech, Puan again talked about the dangers of stunting for children. She said that women as prospective mothers must know about the dangers of stunting in children.

According to Puan, stunting contributes to a continuous cycle of poverty. Because children who suffer from stunting have a higher risk of experiencing limited education, limited job opportunities, and poverty in adults.

"Therefore, women must really know and understand the dangers of stunting, how so that our children are not stunted, how can our children be born and grow up healthy. So that they can become the pride of parents, family and nation," said Puan.

The former Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture explained that stunting can disrupt children's growth and development due to malnutrition during the first 1,000 days of life, namely during the mother's pregnancy until the child is two years old. Puan reminded that there are many ways that can be done to prevent stunting.

"Like enough animal protein consumption, then Bumil regularly checks pregnancy at least 6 times and don't forget to breastfeed, ladies and gentlemen," he urged.

On the same occasion, Puan also invited participants to a dialogue event. One of them is the Head of Cikujang Village, Gunung Guruh, Heni Mulyani, who admitted that he was trying to reduce stunting in his area.

"Alhamdulillah, yesterday in the event I became the chairman of the socialization committee to overcome stunting. Thanks to Mrs. Puan Maharani's encouragement and assistance, 250 invitations were present," he said.

Heni, who has served as the Village Head for 2 periods, said that the people in his village have been sensitive about the dangers of stunting. He stated that he made many programs in his village as an effort to reduce stunting for children.

"What is the way to reduce stunting?" asked Puan.

"Equalization of nutrition is our main focus, ma'am, in Cikujang village. No need to be expensive, optimal nutrition can be obtained from tempeh tofu, eggs are sufficient. Assisted by kelor leaves that have been packaged and then distributed to the community. I hope stunting can go down to below 5%," replied Heni.

Responding to this, Puan said she was proud because many had awareness of the dangers of stunting. According to him, even though there are different political views, mutual cooperation in efforts to eliminate stunting problems in Indonesia must be a top priority.

"There is a Golkar woman, it doesn't matter even though the party is different from me. My message ahead of the legislative and presidential elections is to maintain unity. Politics is polite and happy," explained Puan.

Bung Karno's grandson also advised all event participants who were present to spread knowledge about the dangers of stunting. That way, said Puan, all levels of society can work hand in hand to fight stunting in children.

"I ordered that later this event will be completed, please know about the prevention of stunting that has been obtained here so that it can be informed to other families, to neighbors, to other female friends," explained the mother of 2.

"Together, Indonesian women take care of our children who are the future of the nation, so that they can be born and grow up healthy," added Puan.