PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES

East Nusa Tenggara is one of the provinces in Indonesia with the highest prevalence of child stunting cases at 35.3%. The contributing factor to this condition is the absence of partners in family healthcare. Therefore, this research aimed to develop a gender-responsive health communication model as a form of stunting mitigation in rural communities.  This research used a constructivist paradigm with a case study method. Data collection techniques included in-depth interviews and participant observation, and analysis followed the Miles & Huberman interactive model of data analysis. The findings show that increasing stunting cases were triggered by improper parenting practices, unbalanced nutrition, inadequate environmental sanitation, and the lack of husbands' inclusion in supporting family health. Gender imbalances in family roles also affected the compliance of mothers in accessing health checks in proper parenting practices. Gender-responsive health information literacy is therefore one of the solutions to reducing stunting. In a society with a patriarchal culture, providing health information to husbands has a major impact on family decisions to combat stunting. This study implies that involving husbands in monitoring and ensuring the health status of mothers and children is a must to reduce stunting in rural areas.