Jakarta. The Health Ministry clarified that the provision of contraceptives for adolescents, as stated in a new government regulation, only applies to those who are married and is not intended to promote premarital sex.

"This is aimed at providing contraceptives for married adolescents who are delaying pregnancy until they are physically and psychologically ready," said the ministry's acting spokeswoman, Siti Nadia Tarmizi, in Jakarta on Tuesday.

The regulation in question, 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.

Nadia explained that this initiative responds to the high number of marriages among children and adolescents. 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).

To prevent misunderstandings, she added, "There will be a Health Minister Regulation that provides more technical details, including mechanisms, supervision, monitoring, and sanctions, so there is no misinterpretation."

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.