TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) has urged the government to revoke a regulation allowing the provision of contraceptives to school-age children and adolescents. This provision is outlined in Article 103 (4e) of Government Regulation (PP) Number 28 of 2024, signed by President Joko Widodo a.k.a. Jokowi on July 26.

"We propose to the government to revoke Article 103, more specifically paragraph 4, more specifically letter E regarding the provision of contraceptives," said KPAI Deputy Chairperson Jasra Putra at his office in Central Jakarta, August 19, 2024.

Following discussions with the National Population and Family Planning Agency (BKKBN), KPAI and BKKBN agreed that contraceptive provision should not be included in PP 28/2024 and be regulated under separate legislation specifically addressing couples of childbearing age.

Director of Family Planning Services for Special Regions of BKKBN Fajar Firdawati emphasized that contraceptives should only be provided to married couples aged 15 to 49. “Not for teenagers," said Fajar.

She noted that BKKBN's authority to provide contraceptives is outlined in Law Number 52 of 2009 and Government Regulation Number 87 of 2014.

The provision is regulated in Law Number 52 of 2009 and Government Regulation Number 87 of 2014 concerning Population Development and Family Planning and Family Information Systems.

The BKKBN stressed that the provision of contraceptives should not be given carelessly, available only through health facilities to married couples.

The controversy surrounding the provision of contraceptives arose following President Jokowi's signing of PP 28/2024. Article 103 paragraph (4e) of the PP permits the provision of contraceptives to school-age children and adolescents, sparking widespread debate.

Maulani Mulianingsih

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