Curbing population growth a tough job<\/p>\n
Fitri Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN) now
\nhas a new chief, Yaumil Agoes Achir, who has assumed the duties
\nof Khofifah Indar Parawansa.<\/p>\n
Yaumil, soft-spoken psychology professor, is no stranger to
\nBKKBN. Born in Pangkalan Brandan, North Sumatra, Taumil, 61, has
\nspent years as assistant to the state minister for population
\nfrom 1993 to 1998.<\/p>\n
Her previous posting was deputy secretary of the Vice
\nPresident. Still a lecturer at the school of Psychology at
\nUniversity of Indonesia, she sees her present position like that
\nof a teacher -- setting examples and sharing knowledge.<\/p>\n
What follows is an interview with Yaumil.<\/p>\n
Question: Can you explain your vision and mission as the new
\nBKKBN chief?<\/p>\n
Answer: I want to change the wrong perception that family planning
\ndeprives people of their right to choose, and that the government
\nplays the dominant role.<\/p>\n
This perception remains very apparent. Many women's rights
\nactivists still think that the BKKBN pressures women to take part
\nin family planning.<\/p>\n
I will push for more in advocacy, education, communication and
\ndistribution of information. People can make their own choices
\nafter they get the information.<\/p>\n
Q: How do you view the BKKBN's performance so far?<\/p>\n
A: I think Ibu Khofifah has done her job very well. The BKKBN is
\na very solid organization at 30 years old. It has strong
\nstructure. It works well, thanks to its vast networking with our
\nfield officials available from the provincial cities all the way
\ndown to the villages.<\/p>\n
I don't have any intention to make any changes. Cooperation
\nwith other ministries, NGOs and donors will be strengthened.<\/p>\n
I am open to suggestions and evaluation.<\/p>\n
Q: Do you have new ideas to improve BKKBN performance?<\/p>\n
A: Not really new. I want to continue Ibu Khofifah's effort to
\nincrease men's participation in family planning. I am going to
\napproach organizations such as the association of Indonesian
\nemployers (Apkindo) and all Indonesia Workers Union (SPSI) for
\ncooperation.<\/p>\n
Besides, we still have to improve our communication and human
\nresources development. The use of the condom and vasectomy are
\nstill unpopular due to cultural constraints, misperceptions and
\nlimited access.<\/p>\n
More medical officers will be trained.<\/p>\n
Q: BKKBN has shifted its priority from family planning to
\nimproving the quality of family life. Does that mean maintaining
\nlow population growth is no longer a priority?<\/p>\n
A: We don't change either policy or priority. Family planning and
\nquality family are like two sides of a coin. People would throw
\nrotten eggs at me if I only ran one program and neglected the
\nother. Both programs support one another.<\/p>\n
In a quality family, there is population control. Reasonable
\npopulation growth is maintained by older marital age ... No one
\nshould get married at the age of 13 or 14 anymore.<\/p>\n
Health and education will be improved for better awareness on
\nfamily planning. In a smaller family, people can improve their
\nhealth because there are not so many mouths to feed.<\/p>\n
Q: What is the projected population growth?<\/p>\n
A: Until 2000, the population growth was set at 1.5 percent per
\nyear. According to the 2000 census, the growth was 1.35 percent
\nper year.<\/p>\n
Assuming growth will continue to decline, the growth is
\nestimated to stagnate by 2020. Then the family size would be
\naround 2.0 to 2.1. That means each family will have two children.
\nSo the population growth remains stable.<\/p>\n
Q: Was there any significant change in the average growth rate
\nprior to and during the crisis (of 1997-1998)?<\/p>\n
A: The population growth has also been declining during the
\ncrisis. In 1998, population growth was 1.6 percent. In 2000, it
\nwas down to 1.35 percent. Family size was down from 2.8 in 1996
\nto 2.5 now.<\/p>\n
This shows that family planning has not been affected by the
\ncrisis. BKKBN programs do not experience a setback. We believe
\nthat, in the future, population growth will decline
\nproportionately.<\/p>\n
Q: How do you plan to tackle poverty?<\/p>\n
A: I will stick to the existing programs, which affect millions
\nof people. The revolving funds in the community have reached Rp
\n1.3 trillion from Rp 800 billion when the program began in 1992.<\/p>\n
At present, we provide a very soft loan to 560,000 groups. It
\naffects the life of at least 33 million people. The groups have
\nvarious activities to improve their family life, starting from
\nsimple things such as sewing.<\/p>\n
Around 60 percent of these groups have been successful, the
\nrest have either failed or not been properly developed.<\/p>",
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