The term "stunting" has been familiar to the public since the presidential and vice-presidential debates several years ago. However, the formal nature of stunting has existed for a long time and is a nationwide problem. In 2016, the Indonesian Ministry of Health explained that stunting can occur while a fetus is still in the womb and only becomes apparent when a child is two years old.

Although the 1945 Constitution of the Republic of Indonesia guarantees the right to life and health for children, stunting persists. The government is so serious about addressing stunting that it specifically stipulates Article 11 paragraph (1) letter e of Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 4 of 2024 concerning the Welfare of Mothers and Children in the First Thousand Days of Life, which states that every child has the right to nutritional security from birth to two years of age. However, when stunting occurs, the blame is placed on the state, even though children's human rights are fundamental obligations that parents must fulfill. These consequences require a collaborative effort to address the problem of stunting.

Maria Asuncion Silvestre, in a joint study with UNICEF titled "Understanding and Solving Chronic Malnutrition in the Philippines" titled "Addressing Stunting in the First 1,000 Days: How the Philippine Plan of Action for Nutrition 2017–2022 is Implemented at National and Subnational Levels," found that strong awareness of nutrition within the bureaucracy, mitigation of stunting pandemic preparedness, strengthening nutrition at the village level, and commitment with the private sector are essential. It seems simple, but we have been doing it for a long time and there is a lack of state oversight. Constitutionally, the responsibility is absolute for the state, but support from the community must remain consistent. The guarantee of being free from stunting only applies to the first 1,000 days because it will affect a child's development in the following period.

From a constitutional perspective, the state has a clear responsibility to ensure the welfare and health of the community. The Constitution affirms that every citizen has the right to health services and a decent standard of living. This right also includes the right of children to grow and develop healthily. Therefore, the state's involvement in stunting prevention efforts is not merely a matter of health policy, but also part of fulfilling citizens' constitutional rights. This means that when health services are good but parents don't care about their children, everything is in vain.

Strengthening maternal and child health services is a fundamental step that must be continuously expanded. Routine prenatal checkups, providing nutritional supplements for pregnant women, and monitoring infant health need to be systematically implemented through service networks such as community health centers (Puskesmas) and integrated health posts (Posyandu). Another new initiative could be implemented through the Merah Putih Village Cooperative.

This integration serves to illustrate that expansion is also mandatory. For example, the Merah Putih Village Cooperative has established a lactation room, offers early marriage education classes, and provides mentoring on nutritional needs after having children. Parental education is crucial because some still believe that stunting is influenced by the parents' genes, but this is not the case. Therefore, if you are ready to marry, you must also be ready to meet your child's needs. The selection of the Merah Putih Village Cooperative was due to the large number of interactions with the community, thus facilitating the achievement of goals.

Furthermore, improving public nutritional literacy is crucial. Many families have access to food but don't understand the proper nutritional needs of their children. Education about healthy eating patterns, exclusive breastfeeding, and good parenting practices needs to be continuously strengthened through various community outreach programs. Several viral videos have appeared on social media, showing children being exclusively breastfed, but parents neglecting their nutritional intake and even experiencing stress due to environmental factors.

Environmental factors cannot be ignored either. Poor sanitation and limited access to clean water can increase the risk of infectious diseases in children. Disposing of waste and caring for the environment are not just prioritized in elementary schools but are lifelong needs. These conditions ultimately hinder nutrient absorption and increase the likelihood of stunting. Therefore, developing sanitation infrastructure must be a key target in stunting prevention.

Ultimately, stunting is not solely the responsibility of the government; all parties must coordinate to ensure its effectiveness. Acceleration can also be achieved through more modern methods, such as providing information about the dangers of stunting in public spaces such as terminals, ports, and airports. Another crucial step is to immediately normalize leave for husbands to accompany their wives after childbirth. This means that the burden of stunting falls not on mothers, but also on fathers. New mothers have strong desires and sometimes experience baby blues, while fathers are focused on earning a living, neglecting their children's development. Preventing stunting is a national investment that must be a top priority.