Jakarta – The Ministry of Health, through the Health Development Policy Agency (BKPK), held the 2026 National Forum (Fornas) on Women's Health on Wednesday (April 29). The event, which was also attended by the Minister of Health, the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, the Deputy Minister of Health, and the Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development/BKKBN, carried the theme: “No Woman Left Behind: Equal Access, Superior Service, Resilient Future.
Women's health is not solely a Ministry of Health issue, but a collaborative and synergistic effort with relevant ministries/agencies, as well as non-governmental organizations and community organizations. Therefore, this forum is being held in collaboration with the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture, the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, the Ministry of Population and Family Development/BKKBN, and United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
In line with this spirit of collaboration, this forum serves not only as a coordination forum but also as a space to formulate policy directions that are more inclusive and responsive to women's needs. The goal of this national-scale activity is to gather public aspirations, experiences, and ideas to ensure that every Indonesian woman has equal access to superior healthcare services, enabling the nation to achieve a resilient future.
Furthermore, the importance of this forum is also based on the understanding that women's health has strategic implications. This cross-sectoral forum was held because women are recognized not merely as a target group for medical programs, but as the primary foundation of human resource development and key actors in determining the future direction of the health of all families in Indonesia.
In his report, BKPK Head Asnawi Abdullah emphasized that the National Forum was not a standalone event, but rather the culmination of a series of dialogues that began in the pre-forum phase. Since the preparation stage, the broadest possible participation was provided for ministries/institutions, academics, collegiums, professional organizations, women's communities, development partners, activists, local governments, and the general public to provide input.
"We are taking this step to directly listen to women's voices, gather public aspirations, and map out the real challenges on the ground," she said.
In her remarks, Ratu Ayu Isyana Bagoes Oka, Deputy Minister of Population and Family Development/Head of the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN), emphasized that women's health is the foundation of human resource development. One of the government's priorities for strengthening health services is Postpartum Family Planning Services (KBPP), which aims to regulate birth spacing, plan safe pregnancies, and prevent unwanted pregnancies.
In maintaining women's health, the approach taken must be comprehensive, covering not only physical but also mental aspects.
"Our approach is a life-cycle approach, starting from conception, through childhood, adolescence, preparation for marriage, and eventually into old age," he explained.
Isyana further stated that women's health is the true foundation for a nation's progress.
Based on the data he presented, the government is currently still facing major challenges with the maternal mortality rate standing at 189 per 100.000 live births, so the government is currently boosting the coverage of Postpartum Family Planning (KBPP) services.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, Arifah Choiri Fauzi, stated that women are not a minority group but are the main pillars of development and key actors in driving social and economic progress and the quality of human resources.
Continuing the urgency of fulfilling women's health rights, Arifah emphasized that with a population of 142 million or around 49,6 percent of the total population, women should not be viewed as a minority group.
Arifah highlighted that the women's health challenges facing the country today remain highly complex. These include maternal mortality rates, rising cervical cancer cases due to low screening rates and lack of awareness about vaccination, limited geographic access, economic constraints, social and cultural norms that are not fully in favor of women, and limited information and services available to women in particular.
Although the maternal mortality rate in Indonesia is considered to have decreased and is now ranked third in the ASEAN region, the threat of other diseases such as cervical cancer still records around 36.000 cases annually due to low literacy in early detection and vaccination awareness.
Therefore, Arifah appreciates the government's free health check-up policy and emphasizes the absolute necessity of providing health services that are free from discrimination.
"Women can determine the quality of the next generation," she said, highlighting the importance of maintaining physical health from conception to prevent problems. stunting, as well as paying full attention to mental health, which is currently starting to be a growing concern.
"This forum is a strategic space that positions women as a key factor in health development," said Arifah.
In his remarks, Minister of Health Budi Gunadi Sadikin highlighted the importance of promotive and preventive approaches to maintaining public health. He stated that although life expectancy in Indonesia has increased, there remains a gap in healthy life expectancy.
Budi revealed facts regarding the striking gap between life expectancy (life expectancy) and healthy life expectancy (Health Adjusted Life Expectancy) women in Indonesia. Although the average woman can survive to 76, her healthy lifespan stops at around 66. This implies that women ironically spend ten years of their lives suffering from chronic illness, particularly due to the leading killers in Indonesia, such as stroke, heart disease, and kidney failure.
To prevent this, Budi urges women to regularly check their blood pressure to keep it below 120/80, monitor their blood sugar with an HbA1c indicator below 5,7, and maintain bad cholesterol levels below 100.
"Take care of your health. Don't get sick. Preventive care is much cheaper and improves your quality of life much better than curative care," he stressed.
He also reminded that non-communicable diseases such as stroke, heart disease, cancer, and kidney disease are still the leading causes of death in Indonesia, so early detection and lifestyle changes are important steps.
Budi added that all housewives in Indonesia by nature, naturally possess the soul of a nurse or doctor. They are the ones who care for their family members when they are sick.
Beyond simply relying on public facilities, Budi has a big dream: to make mothers the true spearheads of the national health defense system. "I want to persuade and urge all Indonesian women... let's make health care the responsibility of mothers in 74 million homes," he hoped.
"This is the movement we must build. Not just a movement for healthy women, but a movement for healthy women who protect the health of their families," said Budi.
By strengthening knowledge and basic measuring tools in the household environment, Minister of Health Budi believes that Indonesia is giving birth to a massive movement of women who are healthy for the nation that will ensure the achievement of the vision of Golden Indonesia 2045.
In the next session of the 2026 National Forum for Women's Health, it is talkshow which discusses a number of strategic issues, including strengthening reproductive and maternal health services, prevention and early detection of diseases in women throughout the life cycle, women's mental health and protection from violence, fair access to services for vulnerable groups, disabilities, and strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration in women's health policies.
Resource persons in the session talkshow came from the Directorate General of Primary and Community Health, Ministry of Health, Midwifery College, People's Consultative Assembly, Father of Breastfeeding, Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection, Psychiatrists, Indonesian Association of Women with Disabilities and UNFPA Indonesia Representative.
This hybrid activity was attended by various stakeholders, including ministries/institutions, collegiums, academics, professional organizations, women's communities, international development partners, and community representatives from various regions.
This forum is expected to generate concrete and sustainable policy recommendations, while strengthening cross-sector collaboration and involving stakeholders at both the central and regional levels to ensure every woman in Indonesia has access to quality, safe, and equitable healthcare services. (Authors: Evi Suryani/Fachrudin Ali Ahmad, Editor: HDI Work Team)
