Indonesia

APPI and KPP-RI Host Seminar on

Safe Motherhood for Parliamentarians

Aliansi Pita Putih Indonesia (APPI)/ WRA Indonesia and the Women Caucus Parliament of the Republic of Indonesia (KPP-RI) successfully hosted a seminar on “Strategic Position and Commitment of the Parliament Members for Safe Motherhood.”

It was held at the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia, on March 8, 2012, to commemorate International Women’s Day. Ibu Ir. A.P.A. Timo Pangerang (Chairperson of KPP-RI) and Ibu Ir. Dra. Giwo Rubianto, M.Pd (Vice Chairperson of APPI) gave their speech on why APPI and KPP-RI should make this event, is to invite communities to push the Parliament (Centre and Regions) and Government to give their commitments and act to achieve the mission on MDG target number 5 “to improve maternal health.”

The event was officially opened by the Vice Chairperson of the House of Representatives, ibu Hj. Melani Leimena Suharli, S.Sos. While at the Plenary Session, some of the speakers included the Special Envoy of President of the Republic of Indonesia -  ibu Prof. DR. Dr. Nila F. Moeloek, Sp.M talked about the Strategy of Indonesia in achieving MDG 5, and also the Chairperson of the Population Coalition of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Chairperson of Demographic Institution of Indonesia – DR. Dr. Sonny Harmadi, SE, ME, talked about Population perspective towards the achievement of MDGs 5. APPI chairperson – ibu dr. Sunitri Widodo in her speech explained about the White Ribbon Alliance.

The event was not only covered by various print media outlets, but also by the National Television of the Republic of Indonesia (TVRI). It was broadcast on the 7pm news viewed all across the country.

(You can watch the English version of the story 2:04 minutes into the clip)

The plenary session was moderated by a Member from the House of Representatives –  ibu Dra. Okky Asokawati, S.Psi, noted recommendations, including the following:

• Parliament and Government Action for Safe motherhood is to include a provision that all deliveries will be performed by or with the support of a skilled birth attendant; that existing hospitals in every municipality / city will have the ability to treat mothers with complications during pregnancy, childbirth and the post partum period.

• The integrated approach toward safe motherhood is not only to include mother’s health during pregnancy, childbirth and the post partum period, but also child health, especially during the first day of a child's life, and emphasizing exclusive breast feeding.

• Strategies from Parliament, Government and Society against gender inequality need to be implemented to increase women’s status in society and to ensure that men and women are afforded that same opportunities.

• In order to achieve MDG 5, a commitment that is hard to achieve, all parties should actively do their part to decrease the Maternal Mortality Rate and to provide training on Reproductive Health to the community, especially targeting youth.

• To revise the Marriage Law, and raise allowable age.

• To revitalize the health system, including the healthcare workforce, family planning outeach, infrastructure access to the health center, as well as health protection for female workers.

• APPI to support the implementation of the Jampersal (Delivery Insurance) Program.

• KPP-RI to collaborate with members of Regional House of Representative at the Province level.

• To push the government through Committee IX in the House of Representative to conduct a survey for current MMR data to replace the 2007 MMR data.

In front of about 60 active guests from the House of Representative, APPI partners, Community Organizations,  NGOs and donor agencies, ibu dr. Ratna Pertiwi Tjaja, SKM (APPI Vice Chairperson) closed the event by saying that APPI will rewrite the resolution. The main goal of this event was to hand over a resolution to the President of Women Parliament Coordinator, IPU – Ibu Dr. Nurhayati A. Assegaf, M.Si, MP who will echo this resolution at the IPU leaders meeting in Kampala, Uganda on March 31 to April 5, 2012.

Chairperson of KPP-RI, Vice Chairperson of APPI, Vice Chairperson of the House of Representative of the Republic of Indonesia, Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Indonesia for MDGs, Chairperson of the Population Coalition of the Ministry of Social Welfare committed to act for Safe Motherhood.

The audiences in the seminar

Banner at the entrance to the House of Representative Meeting room.