REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PONTIANAK -- Early marriage, women's health, and stunting are vicious circles that affect each other. Women who marry at an early age and have a history of poor health, will potentially give birth to unhealthy babies anyway. Nasyiatul Aisyiyah should take part in preparing the future generation of mothers which has also been the main program of the government.

This was stated by the Coordinating Minister of Human Empowerment and Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Muhadjir Effendy, during a public lecture on the agenda of Tanwir I Nasyiatul Aisyiyah in Pontianak, Saturday (13/1/2024). “The future generation of Indonesians who can be trusted must be healthy, strong, and have a noble personality,” Muhadjir said.

The number of early marriages in Indonesia is still quite high, covering 30 percent. Meanwhile, requests for early marriage for various reasons are still on the rise. As a result, it grew to more than 25 percent of new poor households.

“What we are doing now is tightening the preconditions of marriage, if we want to get married, it is necessary to make sure who works, who is the source of family income,” Muhadjir said.

The second option, Muhadjir said, is careful planning before having children. “If you can, you should not have children after marriage if you are not really ready to have children,” Muhadjir said.

Because women who are not ready to have children can be a source of stunting, unhealthy baby births, and potentially even autism. Faced with this phenomenon, Muhadjir Effendy requested that Nasyiatul Aisyiyah should ensure no adolescents are affected by chronic anemia. Because, women's health as expectant mothers who give birth to intelligent babies can be prepared from adolescence, one of them through anemic free adolescents.

On these occasions, Muhadjir also encouraged Nasyiah cadres who had high interest and potential in the economic sphere. “I see a great opportunity for the Nasyiah cadre to enter the business sphere,” said the former rector of the University of Muhammadiyah Malang.

The business he sees as having a great opportunity is the retail business. According to Muhadjir, the feminine nature inherent in the Nasyiah cadre became a great force for developing the business. Not least she saw many successful young women running businesses.

Not just encouraging, Muhadjir is ready to facilitate Nasyiah to cooperate with business actors and design an action plan. Muhadjir hopes that there will be a revival of young female entrepreneurs from Nasyiatul Aisyiyah.

“Nasyiah must secure the fate of Indonesian women through family,” Muhadjir said.

For information, Muhadjir Effendy is currently the Chairman of the Muhammadiyah Center Leadership for the period 2022-2027. According to him, Tanwir Nasyiatul Aisyiyah is excellent as consolidating momentum. Strengthening the family economy is one of the focuses of the Nasyiatul Aisyiyah program which is also listed in the 10 pillars of Resilient Young Families.

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