Women’s Reproductive Rights in the Stunting Prevention Policy by the Government of Indonesia

Abstract

This study examines the incorporation of women’s reproductive rights in the Indonesian government’s stunting prevention policy, focusing on the intersection between gender equality, reproductive health, and public health governance. Employing a combined normative and empirical research approach, the study integrates legal analysis with field-based data drawn from interviews, official reports, and policy documents to assess how reproductive justice principles are reflected in current strategies. The findings reveal that although the national framework demonstrates significant progress in nutrition-based interventions, maternal-child health services, and awareness campaigns, it continues to insufficiently recognize women’s reproductive autonomy. Policy priorities are frequently shaped by demographic control and economic growth imperatives, which undermine inclusivity and limit the capacity of stunting prevention programs to empower women as central actors in health decision-making. Empirical evidence further highlights disparities in policy implementation across regions, revealing structural barriers that constrain women’s access to equitable healthcare and reproductive rights. The study concludes that embedding reproductive rights as a foundational principle of policy design is essential to achieving sustainable, equitable, and gender-responsive health outcomes that transcend narrow demographic targets. Academically, this research contributes by bridging normative legal analysis with empirical public health evidence, offering new insights into the relationship between law, gender, and policy. Practically, it provides policymakers with a conceptual and evidence-based foundation for developing more inclusive interventions that enhance women’s agency and reinforce long-term public health resilience.