The Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Culture in Indonesia is urging for an increase in the dissemination of information on the benefits of exclusive breastfeeding to support children’s growth and development. The ministry’s Assistant Deputy for Nutritional Security and Health Promotion, Jelsi Natalia Marampa, stated that breastmilk has essential nutrients that are important for babies’ nutritional needs. Exclusive breastfeeding can also support reducing stunting prevalence as it has many important nutrients for children’s health. The ministry encourages regional governments to intensify strategies for accelerating stunting reduction to achieve productive human resources. To prevent stunting and promote the importance of eating a balanced diet for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and under-five children, the ministry encourages all relevant ministries and agencies to conduct a campaign on eating a balanced diet, especially animal proteins. Indonesia’s stunting prevalence declined by 2.8 percentage points to 21.6 percent in 2022 from 24.4 percent in 2021 and the government aims to reduce stunting prevalence to 14 percent by 2024.
