Reproductive Health Empowers Women and Boosts Economic Growth

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Access to sexual and reproductive health services is increasingly being recognized as an important foundation for women’s empowerment and broader social development in Indonesia. The issue was highlighted during a public discussion attended by health and development experts in Jakarta on Thursday.

UNFPA Indonesia Sexual and Reproductive Health Programme Specialist, Sandeep Nanwani, during the VOITALK program with RRI Voice of Indonesia in Jakarta, Thursday, 28 May 2026 said reproductive health plays a crucial role in enabling women to exercise bodily autonomy. According to him, women who are able to decide if, when, and how many children they have are more likely to participate fully in social and economic life.

“Because what we believe is that when women can choose if, when, and how many children they have, they are able to exercise bodily autonomy, and then they are able to participate more in society,” Nanwani said during the discussion. He added that women’s participation creates positive impacts not only for the economy but also for peacebuilding and social development.

Nanwani explained that reproductive health services allow women to plan their families and manage their lives more effectively. He said such access gives women greater opportunities to contribute in professional, social, and community settings.

In addition to healthcare services, Nanwani emphasized the importance of community involvement in supporting reproductive health awareness. He noted that communities can create safe spaces where people can openly discuss reproductive health issues without fear of judgment.

“One is communities can organize themselves and learn and talk about it openly without judgment,” he said. Nanwani stated that respectful discussions are necessary because every individual may have different experiences and choices related to reproductive health.

He also encouraged communities to advocate for better healthcare services and stronger support systems at the local level. According to him, quality services should include privacy protection, counseling, and access to skilled health workers who understand community needs.

Nanwani said local communities can work together to encourage governments and healthcare providers to improve service quality and accessibility. He added that stronger reproductive health systems can ultimately help women participate more actively in society while improving overall community welfare.