Ensuring Reproductive Health Supplies Security
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Strengthening Logistics System in Indonesia

With support from UNFPA, ICOMP is implementing a project to strengthen logistics systems for RH supplies in Indonesia. The project activities include studies and operations research. The general objective is to measure the extent of the problems related to the provision of contraceptive supplies and their distribution. On the demand side, the research attempts to pinpoint the extent and magnitude of problems related to accessibility, affordability and continuity of those supplies.

The four areas for studies are:
1. Policy analysis.
2. Contraceptive mix scenario.
3. Market segmentation study.
4. Alternative financing scheme.


Empowering Indigenous Community Development

Attaining income security, improving health status and reproductive health commodity security (RHCS) are just several common needs of any communities for advancing community development agenda. However, these needs do not usually reflect or include the marginalised indigenous community, who need to be empowered by mobilising and harnessing their full potential.

Empowered community women
disseminating RH information

Sharing a common goal in improving quality of life, integration of FP/RH with community development endeavours is a feasible mechanism. Developing capacities of local indigenous communities through community-based organisations (CBOs) does not only create accessibility to RHCS but also produce positive RH behavioural changes in both men and women. Acting as a platform to mobilise and sustain such effort, income-generating initiatives can provide the required financial independence.

Supported by the Ford Foundation, ICOMP worked towards this goal in Indonesia through empowering the indigenous population in Batam island over a period of two-years since year 2003. In demonstrating the effectiveness of using community-based RHCS together with income security to achieve RH and community development, ICOMP strengthened capacities of local CBOs, namely Yayasan Masyarakat Tertinggal Riau (YMTR) and Yayasan Mitra Inti (YMI) by providing technical assistance on advocacy, resource mobilisation, coordination and securing sustainaAbility. An upscaling framework by ICOMP was further recognised as a promising tool for upscaling the project activities.

Promising outcomes was observed in establishing effective CBOs which included increased economic opportunities, noticeable social change, creation of RHCS capabilities, and attainment of community development.

Duck breeding (left) and Ibu Siti
Zawiyah making salted eggs
as income generation activities (right)

It is envisioned that such integration model will bring us closer towards universal access to RH services, thereby reinforcing the ICPD PoA and MDGs.