Grassroots Efforts at the Forefront of Stunting Prevention  

Jakarta: Grassroots movements, community groups, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are essential to Indonesia’s stunting prevention efforts.
 
“Community organizations play a significant role in educating the public about nutrition,” said Universitas Indonesia sociologist Nadia Yovanni in a written statement on Sunday, June 28, 2026.  These organizations help to extend nutrition education to broader communities and families.
 
Their impact, however, depends heavily on the capacity of their volunteers and members. As Nadia emphasized, “it is important to ensure that volunteers and members themselves possess proper nutrition literacy (before educating others).”
 
PP Aisyiyah, Muslimat NU, and Makes PPA are among the many organizations actively promoting improved nutrition literacy. The women's organizations have been particularly vocal in addressing misconceptions about the use of sweetened condensed milk as a substitute for regular milk.
 
A survey conducted by the Islamic University of Bandung (Unisba) found that 67.6 percent of toddlers consumed sweetened condensed milk as a substitute for regular milk.
 
For context, sweetened condensed milk contains around 50 percent sugar and only 1 to 3 grams of protein per serving. Given its nutritional composition, it does not meet the dietary needs of growing children; its use as an alternative may hinder optimal child growth and development.
 
Makes PPA has worked with academics and universities to investigate and address the underlying factors contributing to this misconception.

“Together with cadres across Indonesia, we will work at the grassroots level to educate families, communities, and society about nutrition. Collaboration will be crucial to our success,” Chairperson of Makes PPA, Warsiti, explained.
 

Civil Society Organizations as Government Strategic Partners

According to Nadia, civil society organizations (CSOs) are just as important as the government in improving nutrition literacy.
 
“Organizations like Aisyiyah are closely connected to communities. They play a vital role in educating families on nutrition,” she remarked.
 
Addressing stunting and malnutrition warrants efforts beyond ensuring food availability. As Nadia explained, it necessitates families to develop an understanding of healthy eating habits and balanced nutrition.
 
“Families serve as the first agents of socialization. If a family lacks proper nutrition literacy, they may simply prioritize survival. They would not concern themselves with nutrients, proteins, or carbohydrates,” Nadia noted.
 
Several communities – such as Boss Mama, the Rangkul Foundation, and the Samadua Volunteer Community – have provided food assistance, advocacy, intensive support, and training for local cadres in an effort to improve nutrition literacy among mothers.
 
These community-based approaches complement government programs by shaping behavioral change. With their close ties to communities, CSOs can convey health messages in a more effective and efficient manner.
 
“If communities possess good nutritional literacy, it will positively influence their dietary choices and behaviors,” Nadia concluded.
 
(Jonathan Sianto)