Title: Women's action for health development.

POPLINE Document Number: 102027

Author(s):

Roestam S

Source citation:

WORLD HEALTH, 1994 Sep-Oct;47(5):28-9.

Abstract:

In Indonesia, the importance of the role of women in economic activity and community development has been recognized by the government through the establishment of the State Ministry for Women's Affairs. Women-centered community development projects include training housewives to produce handicrafts for sale; developing integrated health posts in communities to address questions of water supply, sewage, and garbage disposal; and a special effort to eliminate illiteracy with reading materials geared to improving public health. Communities are encouraged to finance their own health care, and all proposed changes are firmly rooted in religious and cultural norms. Wives of members of Indonesia's state health insurance scheme have collaborated with the insurers to develop a program of health promotion and disease prevention. In the villages, the tradition of mutual aid has been used to develop a health insurance scheme. One pilot prepaid community health program initiated in 1987 in Kerambitan Subdistrict, Bali Province, has a target population of 30,000 people and provides access to public and private facilities. A second project was started in 1988 in Candiroto Subdistrict, Central Java Province, with 49,000 potential members. A third, in Jakarta, benefits home handicraft workers and small-scale traders and food manufacturers. Thus, women, working individually, in small groups, or through nongovernmental organizations are playing a vital role in the development of health care in Indonesia.

Keywords:

Indonesia
Women in Development
Female Role
Women's Status
Community Development
Health
Promotion
Health Insurance
Community Health Services
Delivery of Health Care
Asia, Southeastern
Asia
Developing Countries
Economic Development
Economic Factors
Social Behavior
Behavior
Socioeconomic Factors
Social Development
Marketing
Financial Activities
Primary Health Care
Health Services