Khofifah Calls for Reducing Maternal Mortality Rate on Kartini Day 2026

The spirit of Kartini’s struggle must be realised through concrete steps, one of which is ensuring maternal health as the primary foundation for developing superior human resources. Surabaya (ANTARA) - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa has called on all elements of society to work together to reduce the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) on Kartini Day 2026 through strengthened cross-sector collaboration and maternal health services. “The spirit of Kartini’s struggle must be realised through concrete steps, one of which is ensuring maternal health as the primary foundation for developing superior human resources,” Khofifah stated in Surabaya on Tuesday. This call aligns with the theme of Kartini Day 2026, “Moving Together to Reduce the Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR)”, which emphasises the importance of cross-sector synergy in protecting maternal safety as the foundation of human resource development. According to Khofifah, efforts to reduce MMR cannot be separated from strengthening women’s roles as the main subjects of development, from the family level to the global stage. The values of Raden Ajeng Kartini’s struggle, she continued, must continue to be actualised in real steps that impact the improvement of women’s quality of life. She emphasised that women hold a strategic position in enhancing the quality of the nation’s generation, strengthening family resilience, and maintaining the sustainability of social and economic development. Therefore, improving access and quality of maternal and child health services becomes a top priority. “We are also continuing to promote the use of technology, one of which is through the e-Desi application for early detection of hypertension risk factors, which is an important part in preventing complications in pregnant women,” she said. These achievements align with the reduction in MMR and infant mortality rates, as well as the prevalence of stunting in East Java, which has dropped to 14.7 percent in 2025. Nevertheless, she emphasised that these efforts must be strengthened through health education, improved service quality, and public awareness. “Reducing the maternal mortality rate is not only the responsibility of the health sector, but requires a collective movement from all elements of the nation,” she said. In gender development, East Java’s Gender Development Index (GDI) in 2025 reached 93.29, up from 92.19 the previous year and exceeding the national average. Meanwhile, the Gender Inequality Index (GII) was recorded at 0.347, lower than the national average of 0.421. “Women are not just beneficiaries of development, but the main actors in development. Therefore, women’s quality of life must continue to be improved sustainably,” she stated. As a form of commitment, the East Java Provincial Government is optimising the role of the Regional Technical Implementation Unit for Women’s and Children’s Protection (UPTD PPA) and the Family Learning Centre (PUSPAGA) to strengthen protection and support for women. In a global context, Khofifah also highlighted the role of Indonesian women in promoting world peace, including initiatives by Muslimat NU that sent a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres. “This shows that Indonesian women not only play roles at local and national levels, but also have strategic contributions in building a peaceful and just world civilisation,” she said. In closing, Khofifah called on all Indonesian women to continue moving together to make maternal health a top priority. “Happy Kartini Day. Let us make this moment to move together to reduce the maternal mortality rate, strengthen women’s roles, and present a healthy, strong, and competitive generation,” she said.