Dear Media Colleagues,
The Center for Reproductive Health, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health and Nursing of Gajah Mada University (UGM), Rutgers Indonesia together with “A Champion of Indonesia Family Planning and Reproductive Health Consortium,” will jointly organize a Scientific Discussion on Family Planning and Reproductive Health.
The three-day Scientific Discussion, to be officially opened on June 28 and will continue until June 30, 2021, will bear a theme: Strengthening Policy and Strategy for Implementation of Family Planning and Reproductive Health Based on Data and Scientific Study.”
Members of Consortium includes UGM’s Center for Reproductive Health, Rutgers Indonesia, Demographic Institute of University of Indonesia (UI), UI’s Faculty of Medicine, Indonesian Planned Parenthood (PKBI), Yayasan Kesehatan Perempuan, Aliansi Satu Visi, UNFPA, Johns Hopkins Center for Communication (JHCCP) Indonesia, Thinkwell, IPAS Indonesia, JHPIEGO Indonesia and DKT Indonesia.
“This consortium has regularly organized a series of scientific discussion, conducted scientific studies and developed a large variety of intervention models on Family Planning and Reproductive Health. The results of the discussions were later submitted to the government to improve its policy and implementation of the programs,” explained Prof. Dr. dr. Siswanto Agus Wilopo Msc.ScD, the Steering Committee Chairperson during a virtual press conference on Saturday June 26, 2021.
“This consortium has regularly organized a series of scientific discussion, conducted scientific studies and developed a large variety of intervention models on Family Planning and Reproductive Health. The results of the discussions were later submitted to the government to improve its policy and implementation of the programs,” explained Prof. Dr. dr. Siswanto Agus Wilopo Msc.ScD, the Steering Committee Chairperson during a virtual press conference on Saturday June 26, 2021.
He added that the success of the International Conference on Indonesia Family Planning and Reproductive Health (ICIFPRH) 2019 had proven that there were many parties that were strongly committed to the advancement of Family Planning and Reproductive Health issues in Indonesia. They mostly came from academia, research centers at various universities, professional organizations, international organizations, civil society organizations (CSOs) as well as individuals.
“There are a number of pressing issues to be discussed during the event. One of the issues is the impact of COVID-19 on the delivery of Family Planning Services and Reproductive Health during the pandemic and how we can find the solutions to the problems,” noted Prof.Siswanto
The other worrying issue is Youth Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (YSRHR) in Indonesia. “Youth population will dominate the country’s demographic composition in the next 15 years and therefore we have to equip them with adequate knowledge and wide access to their reproductive health and rights.”
“When we talk about youth reproductive health, it always goes to taboo things and well-blanketed issues.” He further said 75 percent out of 100 percent of accessed information on youth sexual reproductive health and rights are inaccurate and misleading. “This is a perilous situation,” added Prof. Siswanto.
Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Meiwita P.Budhiharsana, Professor at UI’ Public Health Faculty and Chair of Scientific Steering Committee, added that right information on family planning and reproductive health is still rare and limited.
“During the Scientific Discussion, we will comprehensively monitor the progress of family planning program in fulfilling the rights of women to obtain accurate information and their rights to choose the preferred contraceptive tools with their own consent. We have seen a little and slow progress on this issue,” explained Prof. Meiwita.
Drs. Eddy Hasmi MSc, the Committee’s Secretary, described that discussions would be focused on various results of studies and scientific studies, programs’ monitoring and evaluation as well as best practiced conducted by members of the Consortium as well as partners in the fields of Family Planning and Reproductive Health and their implications on the national policy making process. The three-day Scientific Discussion will be conducted virtually through Webinar sessions and open to public.
Thank you for your kind cooperation
Regards,
Prof. Dr. dr. Siswanto Agus Wilopo, MSc. ScD
Chairperson of The Steering Committee
Further information: Trinanda Junior Media and Communication Officer – Rutgers WPF Indonesia 087883289368 | trinanda@www.gemilangsehat.org
