By Sylvia Mote, Social Policy Observer in Papua
Efforts to reduce stunting in Indonesia continue to show progress, yet major challenges remain, particularly in eastern regions such as Papua. According to the 2024 Indonesian Nutrition Status Survey (SSGI), the national prevalence of stunting has decreased to 19.8% from 21.6% in 2022. Nevertheless, the ambitious target of 14%, as stipulated in Presidential Regulation No. 72 of 2021, demands extraordinary effort from all elements of the nation. Papua is both a strategic and critical region in this major mission due to the geographic, social, and cultural complexities that affect child nutrition.
The Papua Provincial Government has reaffirmed its commitment through the launch of the Foster Parents Movement to Prevent Stunting (Genting), a collaborative initiative led by Deputy Governor Aryoko Rumaropen. This program is not merely ceremonial but a tangible cross-sectoral effort designed as a sustainable social movement. Through Genting, every official and stakeholder within local government is encouraged to act as a foster parent for children at risk of stunting across various regencies. The initiative aims to strengthen a community-based approach that fosters collective responsibility for the growth and development of Papua’s next generation.
Deputy Governor Aryoko explained that Genting is part of the achievements within the first 100 days of the Governor and Deputy Governor’s work, integrated into the transitional Regional Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMD). This approach unites various cross-sector programs—from health and education to food security—into a single collaborative system. Local governments prioritize improving human resource quality as the main axis of Papua’s development toward 2030, with stunting considered a fundamental indicator of success.
Concrete steps are also visible on the ground across several regencies. Nabire Regency, for example, has achieved first place in the Stunting Reduction Acceleration Competition at the Central Papua provincial level. Dr. H. Mukayat, Head of Bapperida Nabire, attributes this achievement to collective work from all stakeholders, including government agencies and private partners. He emphasized that this success is not coincidental but the result of consistent implementation of national regulations, particularly Presidential Regulation 72 of 2021, which has now been adapted more efficiently at the local level.
Nabire Regency implements four main convergence actions, simplified from eight previous actions, allowing for faster and more effective coordination. As a result, nutrition programs, maternal-child health education, and data-based monitoring have become more integrated. However, administrative success has not yet fully reflected in prevalence rates. SSGI 2024 data shows stunting prevalence in Nabire at 21.7%, although internal e-PPGBM surveys indicate a declining trend down to 12.9%. This discrepancy reflects methodological challenges in data collection, as well as the ongoing need for consistency in reporting and verification systems at the field level.
Deputy Regent H. Burhanuddin Pawennari emphasized that stunting is not merely a matter of height but a serious issue threatening the quality of future human resources. He urges all parties to understand stunting as a matter of nutrition and caregiving practices, not heredity. This perspective is essential to shift public paradigms and foster collective awareness that every family plays a vital role in prevention.
The central government continues to strengthen support for Papua through integrated policies across health, food, education, and community empowerment sectors. The whole-of-government approach, spearheaded by the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (Kemenko PMK), serves as a guideline for regions to build data-driven and action-oriented stunting reduction systems. Papua, with its unique social characteristics, requires contextual adaptation of policies while adhering to the national principle: accelerating stunting reduction must place children at the center of development.
Cross-sector synergy is the key to success. The Health Office, Office of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection, Population and Family Planning Office, and partner organizations such as Wahana Visi Indonesia and PT Freeport Indonesia actively support monitoring and evaluation activities. This collaboration is not merely formal, but an integration of government policies with civil society participation. Each program emphasizes data-driven innovation to ensure every intervention is measurable and precisely targeted.
The sustainability of this movement relies on four strategies highlighted by Deputy Regent Burhanuddin: coordination, commitment, cooperation, and collaboration. These four principles serve as the foundation for all stakeholders in Papua to build a strong, results-oriented system responsive to field challenges. Local governments are also preparing annual evaluation mechanisms to ensure programs are not only implemented but also produce measurable impacts on stunting reduction.
Through child-focused policies, measured collective work, and consistent commitment from all parties, Papua has a significant opportunity to become a successful example of accelerated stunting reduction in eastern Indonesia. Under the umbrella of national policy and with solid community support, the fight against stunting in Papua is not merely a health mission, but a social movement to ensure every child grows healthy, smart, and ready to be part of Indonesia’s bright future.
The author is a Social Policy Observer in Papua