AIM: The objectives of this research are to reveal and to analyze the stunting prevention policy as a form of legal protection for children’s health rights (HR). METHODS: This type of research is a normative legal research approach to the legislation approach and conceptual approach. RESULTS: The results of the study show that stunting prevention policy as a form of legal protection for child HR has not been able to reduce the number of stunting. The high prevalence of stunting as evidence of the government’s failure in legal protection against the problem of malnutrition. Ignoring children’s rights is a form of HR violations committed by the state. CONCLUSION: Need to regulate the law related to stunting as a manifestation of state responsibility in upholding children’s rights. Prevention and handling of stunting are carried out holistically in various sectors with commitment and synergy between the central/regional government, parents, family, and community.

BACKGROUND: In Indonesia, the Law on Long-Term Development Goals and the implementing regulations, namely the Health Law and the Food Law and their implementing regulations have stipulated nutritional adequacy for all ages including toddlers to prevent stunting. However, stunting still occurs, including in Pati Regency, Central Java Province. AIM: This research aims to know and evaluate the stunting program from the Pati Regency, Province of Central Java, Indonesia and to found the solution. METHODS: This is empirical (non-doctrinal) legal research which aims to analyze the public health-based local government policy in tackling the stunting problem in Pati Regency. RESULTS: The results of the study indicate that there are eight stages of convergence actions from the public health-based local government policies to accelerate stunting prevention in the Pati Regency. However, the stunting prevention policy as a form of legal protection for children has not succeeded in reducing the stunting prevalence rate in this regency. CONCLUSION: The conclusion of this research is beneficial to become an input for the Pati Regency Government, Central Java Provincial Government in formulating and evaluating stunting prevention policies in their areas.