06 Empowering Midwives and Community Health Cadres as Frontline Actors in Reproductive Health Promotion and Violence Prevention

Speaker:- Erika Agung Mulyaningsih

Facilitator:- Kinan Ti

Abstract:- Child marriage and gender-based violence remain major public health and human rights challenges that undermine women and adolescents reproductive health and well-being. These issues are closely associated with early pregnancy, adverse maternal outcomes, psychological distress, and persistent gender inequality. Midwives and community health cadres, as trusted frontline health actors, are uniquely positioned to promote reproductive health and contribute to violence prevention at the community level. This presentation is based on a capacity-building program for midwives and community health cadres conducted in Jombang District, Indonesia. The program was delivered through a hybrid training model combining online sessions and face-to-face workshops. Participants included midwives from primary health centers, community health cadres, midwifery students, and midwifery lecturers. The training applied a rights-based and gender-responsive approach, integrating reproductive health promotion, gender equality, prevention of gender-based violence and child marriage, gender-sensitive communication, early identification of violence, and referral pathways. Participatory learning methods, including case discussions and reflective exercises, were used to strengthen knowledge, attitudes, and practical readiness among participants. The training resulted in increased awareness, confidence, and perceived capacity among participants to deliver reproductive health education, recognize early signs of violence, provide appropriate support, and engage in community-level advocacy to prevent child marriage. The involvement of both practitioners and academic stakeholders strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration and supported sustainability of the initiative. By sharing lessons learned from this real-world training experience, this presentation highlights the critical role of midwives and community health cadres as agents of change in advancing reproductive health, preventing violence, and promoting gender equality

Check the time in your location:- https://bit.ly/VIDM26-session-06

Recording TBA