Document Type

Report

Publication Date

1998

Abstract

This paper analyzes the short-term effects of the monetary crisis and natural disasters in Indonesia on women's health and nutritional status, and activities to monitor and address these problems. The monetary crisis which was announced in January 1998 hit the highest monthly inflation rate of 13 percent in February. Natural disasters that have plagued Indonesia since early 1997, including droughts and forest fires, have been projected to cause famines and an increased likelihood of infant and adult mortality. The economic crisis also directly impacts millions of workforce members threatened by the downsizing of thousands of businesses and factories, in the form of job termination. About 38 percent of the workforce are women. In general, it can be predicted that the high rate of unemployment means a return to poverty, emergence of pockets of slum settlements in cities, an increase in the crime rate, less affordable food in urban areas, famine and scarcity in rural areas, worsening environmental health, epidemics of infectious and noninfectious diseases, cutbacks in public health-care budget and facilities, more school dropout, teenagers entering prostitution, domestic violence, drug abuse, mental illness, and suicide attempts.

DOI

10.31899/pgy1998.1003

Language

English

Project

Asia & Near East Operations Research and Technical Assistance Project

Download

Share

COinS