Indonesia's Family Development Minister Wihaji rolls out fatherhood, stunting and daycare reforms

Minister of Population and Family Development Wihaji announced a pilot campaign in Yogyakarta to strengthen family mental health by promoting father involvement, noting that about 25 % of Indonesian children grow up without an active father.

During the 33rd National Family Day, he urged Tim Pendamping Keluarga (TPK) cadres to intensify field work on stunting, directing them to verify data and provide direct assistance. The ministry reported more than 2 000 TPK members and thousands of family‑support groups operating across Sleman.

Wihaji also visited a daycare centre, stressing that parents must verify caregiver quality, maintain regular communication, and that day‑care operators should implement certification, health‑check services and CCTV monitoring. The Bantul regency has tightened licensing and certification following previous abuse cases.

Finally, the minister warned that unregistered marriages increase the risk of families falling into the stunting‑risk category, citing a case of a mother with three children facing economic hardship after an informal marriage. He called on TPK and field officers to educate couples about the legal and social consequences of non‑registered unions.