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Preachers call on men’s involvement in reducing maternal, infant mortality
Preachers in churches, mosques and temples across Klaten regency are encouraged to spread messages on reproductive health and men’s role in keeping mothers and children healthy. The movement was part of the Klaten administration’s strategy to reduce its maternal and infant mortality rates.
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Shared responsibility: Nutrition officer Sri Sugiyant gives information on reproductive health to a couple during a premarital counseling session in Juwiring, Klaten regency, Central Java. (JP/Kusumasari Ayuningtyas)
O
ne Sunday morning, preacher Tri Prasetyaningsih shared a rather depressing story about mothers with the congregation of the Indonesian Christian Church in Klaten, Central Java.
She talked about a new mother who went away from her house. It turned out that the mother suffered from postpartum depression, known as the baby blues.
Tri also spoke about a tragedy that happened to a mother of twins. She fed water excessively to one of the twins until the baby was dead. The mother later revealed that she was depressed that some people, including her husband, had blamed her that the baby was thinner than its twin.
“People tend to think that a mother holds full responsibility for her baby, while the husband feels that his responsibility is only giving financial support. The truth is, raising a child is also the responsibility of the father and the whole family,” she told around 30 people in the congregation.
Kuncoro, a 45-year-old congregation member, agrees with Tri.
“I am not married yet, but I have an older sister. We [the whole family] pay attention to her and her children’s condition,” he said.
Preachers in churches, mosques and temples across Klaten regency are encouraged to spread messages on reproductive health and men’s role in keeping mothers and children healthy. The movement is part of the Klaten administration’s strategy to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates.
