Kotabaru govt prevents early marriage to reduce stunting

Acting Regional Secretary of Kotabaru H Hairul Aswandi makes his remarks at the coordination meeting to accelerate stunting reduction by preventing early marriage in Kotabaru, Thursday (Oct 3, 2024). (ANTARA/HO-Dinas Kominfo Kotabaru)

Kotabaru, South Kalimantan (ANTARA) - The District Government of Kotabaru, South Kalimantan, continues its efforts to reduce stunting cases or impaired growth and development that children experience from poor nutrition, one of which is by preventing early marriage.

Acting Regional Secretary of Kotabaru H Hairul Aswandi said that maturing the age of marriage is an early prevention of stunting, as well as to accelerate its cases reduction.

The problem, he acknowledged, is the ideal age limit according to the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN) is different from the Religious Affairs Ministry (Kemenag). "BKKBN sets 21 years for women and 25 for men, while according to Kemenag Kotabaru 19 years for women and men," he said at the coordination meeting to accelerate stunting reduction by preventing early marriage here on Thursday (Oct 3, 2024).

At the meeting, which was organized by Women Empowerment, Child Protection, Population Control and Family Planning Office (DPPPAPPKB), he said, increasing the age of marriage is to reduce adverse health impact, such as bleeding, mathernal and child death.

In addition, he continued, to prevent things such as unwanted pregnancy, abortion, domestic violence (KDRT) and stunting.

Acting Secretary invites community to work together to reduce stunting rate. Related to marriage, he said, BKKBN has launched Elsimil app.

"(Couples who want to get married) are expected to report three months in advance to religious affairs offices (KUAs) and community health center (puskesmas) to get pre-marital health counseling and the first TT (tetanus toxoid) immunization," he said.

Through this activity, he hopes that data synchronization of prospective brides and grooms can be realized, so that specific and sensitive intervention can be carried out to accelerate stunting reduction.