TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Once a month, the hall at Tualang village in Siak Regency, Riau,is full of people. Around 20 to 30 women listen intently to a trainer from the Tualang Family Welfare Movement (PKK). Afterwards, they discuss various topics, such as the ideal number of children or safe contraception for women.

The discussion is part of the family planning program in the village. Bainarmi is one of the women who often joins in the monthly event. The 35-year-old is an ardent follower of family planning. She has two children.

"I have two daughters, and don't plan to have any more. Two children are enough," she said, quoting the famous family planning slogan initiated by the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN).

Bainarmi said the discussions and counseling sessions held by PKK trainers provides her with much information on sexual health and contraceptive options. "They informed me about the available choices, such as the IUD (intrauterine device). I elected to take birth control pills because it's easy to remember to take one a day," said the housewife.

Before she got married, she never gave a thought about planning her family and electing to have only two children. "But after listening to their advice, it made sense to me," she said. Bainarmi cited some of the reasons given by the trainers, including being able to provide quality education for one's children and supporting them economically. "I want my children to get the education they need," she added.

In addition to information about reproductive options, Bainarmi said that the trainers also give instruction on caring for newborn babies and toddlers, with assistance from staff of the nearby integrated health post (Posyandu). "It's always a very useful session for new mothers," she said.

Bainarmi said that around 80 percent of the neighborhood now follow the family planning program. "I think more people are beginning to think about a quality future for their children, instead of simply having as many as they can," she said.

She would like to see the discussions reaching out to more people in Tualang village. Bainarmi thinks the program should be expanded to also include men.

"I want everyone to be informed. I didn't know anything before, but now I can make informed choices," she said, adding that information dissemination could be done more frequently. (*)

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