Husbands have important role in safeguarding wives' health<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Safe Motherhood and other programs to improve
\nwomen's health status will fall flat in reaching their goal
\nwithout full support from male members of a patriarchal society
\nlike Indonesia.<\/p>\n
Meiwita B. Iskandar, resident advisor of Population Council
\nJakarta, said in a report that husbands, fathers, brothers and
\nemployers, most of whom are men, play significant roles in
\nchanging and reshaping people's attitudes toward the importance
\nof improving women's health.<\/p>\n
"Gender inequities continue to adversely affect women's health
\nthroughout their lives, starting from birth," she said.<\/p>\n
Women, especially those living in villages, have less access
\nto available health-determining services, education and other
\nsocial facilities, making them vulnerable to poverty, social
\nabuse or economic deprivation, she explained.<\/p>\n
"Any women's health program should also target male citizens
\nin order to educate and inform them about the related program."<\/p>\n
Husbands are closely involved in the Safe Motherhood program.
\nThorough information and education on the process of pregnancy
\nand child delivery must be given to them, Meiwita said.<\/p>\n
"Many husbands are ignorant about the welfare of their
\npregnant wives because they don't understand and they have
\ninadequate knowledge of problems relating to pregnancy and
\nchildbirth."<\/p>\n
In big cities, many prospective fathers have started to attend
\nprenatal classes to prepare young couples physically and
\nemotionally for the birth of their babies.<\/p>\n
Paternity leaves are not yet popular here in Indonesia, unlike
\nin developed countries where fathers are allowed to take time
\noff.<\/p>\n
In rural areas, local organizations including integrated
\nhealth services center (Posyandu), community health centers
\n(Puskesmas), village women's welfare organization (PKK) and other
\nprominent agencies could motivate and provide necessary education
\nfor fathers-to-be and other male members. This could cover
\nnutritional intake, the childbirth process to postnatal caring,
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
Stephen J. Woodhouse, Unicef's area representative for
\nIndonesia and Malaysia, shared Meiwita's views on educating men
\non the childbirth experience.<\/p>\n
"There are many uncaring and unkind husbands in every country
\nincluding in Indonesia. They treat their wives indifferently," he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Many pregnant women continue to work in rice fields or do
\nheavy domestic works, juggling this with taking care of other
\nchildren without the help of their spouses, Woodhouse observed.<\/p>\n
Many men have prevented their wives from having appropriate
\nmedical treatment from trained midwives or doctors. They prefer
\ntheir wives to have babies at home with the assistance of
\ntraditional midwives in order to save on medical costs.<\/p>\n
"This is not a sad story, but it is a real fact that happens
\nin most villages in the country," he said.<\/p>\n
Unicef supports various women's health programs in several
\nprovinces.<\/p>\n
He said that it was important to improve the treatment
\navailable to pregnant women and lactating mothers.<\/p>\n
"By improving their health condition, they will likely give
\nbirth to healthy babies, something good for their families and
\nthe society to have healthy members."<\/p>\n
Approaches to educate male members also occur in urban areas
\nwhere many women are employed both as trained and professional
\nworkers in offices and cheap labor in factories.<\/p>\n
Julie Marsaban, an executive of the Program for Appropriate
\nTechnology in Health (Path) Indonesia, said at a meeting
\norganized by the Menteng Rotary Club here recently that
\nintervention was made through companies and factories.<\/p>\n
In cooperation with international donor agencies and local
\nnon-profit organizations such as the Kusuma Buana Foundation,
\nPath Indonesia is actively promoting the improvement of women's
\nhealth in workplaces.<\/p>\n
"We are encouraging employers and executives of companies to
\ngive extra attention to their women workers and to provide better
\nworking environment for these workers, especially when they are
\npregnant," Julie said.<\/p>\n
According to the International Labor Organization's standard,
\nthe protection of women workers during pregnancy and maternity is
\nnormally mandated under the labor code covering conditions of
\nwork, employment and health through applicable social security
\nregulations.<\/p>\n
A study has found the condition of working women in Indonesia
\nis alarming. Seven out of 10 women suffer from serious anemia,
\nbound to reduce their work productivity by 20 percent. Only a
\nsmall percentage of female workers receive adequate social
\nsecurity protection, including maternity leave, compensation and
\npension schemes.<\/p>\n
"We are also promoting iron tablets and the consumption of
\nnutritious food among workers and employers to enhance their
\nhealth condition," said Julie.<\/p>\n
She explained that several companies were involved in the
\nprograms and she hoped others would also join for the sake of the
\nfemale workers's welfare in particular and other staff members in
\ngeneral.<\/p>\n
"The multiple benefits of women's improved health include
\nincreased productivity and a positive impact on the health of
\nfamilies and the society," Julie said. (raw)<\/p>",
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