Jakarta. Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin clarified that the provision of contraceptives for school-aged children and adolescents aims to reduce maternal mortality rates among teenagers, rather than promoting premarital sex.

Budi emphasized that this measure is intended only for married adolescents. He noted that child marriage still occurs in some regions, prompting the government to offer contraceptives.

"In Indonesia, child marriage is still prevalent. In urban areas, it might not be common, but in rural regions, many marry at a young age," he said after attending the Investor Daily Round Table event at The Westin Hotel, Kuningan, on Tuesday.

Government Regulation No. 28 of 2024 on Health, recently signed by President Joko Widodo, includes provisions for reproductive health services for school-aged children and adolescents. Article 103(4) of the regulation stipulates that reproductive health services must include the provision of contraceptives.

The regulation mandates that reproductive health services, including contraceptive provision, be delivered through counseling by qualified health professionals.

"There are significant risks when teenagers become pregnant," Budi explained. "If a young girl gets married and becomes pregnant, it poses a high risk. The mother and baby both face a higher chance of mortality."

Budi also highlighted that the high rate of early marriage contributes to Indonesia's stunting problem, as many teenagers under 20 give birth to unhealthy babies.

"If a baby is born to a young mother, the likelihood of stunting is very high. We advise school-aged adolescents who marry early to postpone pregnancy until they are over 20," he urged. "By doing so, the baby will be healthier, and the risks of maternal and infant mortality, as well as stunting, will be lower."

Indonesia recorded a child marriage rate of 9.23 percent in 2023, equivalent to 163,371 incidents, according to the latest data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).

The ministry's acting spokeswoman, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, said there will be a Health Minister Regulation providing more technical details, including mechanisms, supervision, monitoring, and sanctions, to prevent misunderstanding.

Previously, lawmakers Luqman Hakim from the National Awakening Party (PKB) and Abdul Fikri Faqih from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) voiced strong concerns about the new government regulation providing contraceptives to school-aged children and adolescents.

They worry that the regulation might be misinterpreted as endorsing premarital sex rather than focusing on comprehensive sexual education and moral guidance.