Indonesia
Family Planning and Women's Empowerment in the Family
During the past 30 years, fertility in Indonesia has declined dramatically. In the early 1970s, the average Indonesian woman had six to seven children; today, she has approximately three. Much of the decline can be attributed to the government of Indonesia's family planning program, implemented by the National Family Planning Coordinating Board (BKKBN). As in most countries, the vast majority of family planning users are women. With a better understanding of how family planning use affects women's empowerment (women's economic and social autonomy) within the family, BKKBN may more effectively provide family planning services to Indonesian women.
Research Findings
Designed to explore the effects of family planning use on women's empowerment within the family, this study consisted of in-depth interviews with 30 women and their husbands, as well as a survey of 800 married women, ages 30 to 45, from the cities of Jakarta and Ujung Pandang.
Survey data indicated family planning use was significantly associated with some aspects of women's empowerment in the family:
- In both Jakarta and Ujung Pandang, women who used contraception were more likely to report communication with husbands about family planning. In addition, family planners were more likely to report their wishes prevailing in economic decision-making.
- In Ujung Pandang only, contraceptive use was associated with asking husbands to use family planning, women earning income for the household, and knowledge of a loan source in the community.
Women's work status was associated with more aspects of women's economic and social autonomy than was family planning. Analysis of survey data indicated:
- In both Jakarta and Ujung Pandang, women who worked were more likely to earn income for the household and contribute to household expenses.
- In Ujung Pandang only, women who worked were more likely to ask their husbands to use family planning, participate in community activities, and have knowledge of a loan source.
Both women and men adhered to gender divisions of labor. In in-depth interviews, both men and women acknowledged the husband as the head of the household:
- Women were responsible for almost all domestic chores, regardless of whether they worked outside of the home.
- Many women who worked outside of the home said they did so only to "help" their husbands support the family.
- While women usually managed money for daily expenditures, men's wishes tended to dominate in major financial decisions. As a woman from Jakarta explained, "I am in charge of managing and controlling the family income, but I have to ask him first if I want to spend it for non-household expenses."
During in-depth interviews and in survey responses, women who had used contraceptive methods said the benefits of family planning and smaller family size included more time for community activities and work outside the home.
When asked how family planning services could be improved, women said they wanted:
- More female providers, both for counseling and the provision of services.
- More information from providers about contraceptive side effects, mechanisms of action, effectiveness, and how and where to receive follow-up care. The fear of side effects was strong and pervasive.
Recommendations
Indonesia's family planning program should continue to improve the quality of family planning services to meet women's expressed needs. The program should provide women with complete information about contraceptives and side effects, offer an array of methods and counseling to help women choose the method that is best for them, and provide contraceptive follow-up care. In addition, the program should continue to support women's reproductive rights, including women's right to decide how many children they want and can support.
Study Details
Researchers responsible for this study were: Dr. Siti Hidayati Amal and Dr. Shanty Novriaty of Kelompok Studi Wanita, University of Indonesia; Dr. Karen Hardee of The Futures Group International; Dr. Elizabeth Eggleston of Family Health International; and Dr. Terence Hull of the Australian National University. Research was supported by the Women's Studies Project at Family Health International, through a Cooperative Agreement funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development with field support from the USAID Mission in Jakarta.
