Boom in indigenous Muslim population: CPSIM of Assam

UNDERAGE MARRIAGE IS ONE OF THE CAUSES: REPORT

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Committee on Population Stabilization of the Indigenous Muslims (CPSIM) of Assam has said that underage marriage is one of the factors for the rapid population growth among some communities of the indigenous Muslims.

The CPSIM, headed by Prof (Dr) Ilias Ali, said, "The age of marriage significantly determines the fertility rate. Our survey indicated that while the TFR (Total Fertility Rate) of those who married at 18 or below 18 years of age is 2.64, the TFR of women married after 18 years is 2.18. We observed that the TFR of women with no education is 3.42, the TFR for women with primary education is 2.86, and the TFR of higher secondary passed women is 1.58."

"The Muslim families are not willing to discuss family planning and the method of contraception. It indicates that family planning is taboo for indigenous Muslims. Birth spacing is one of the best natural methods of family planning. Unfortunately, nearly 70.42 per cent of women do not follow the minimum three-year birth spacing norm," the survey report said.

The committee also observed that amongst different indigenous Muslim communities, Deshi has the highest TFR of 2.71, followed by Julha with 2.46, Moria with 2.27, Goria with 2.10 and Syed with 1.9. The report also said that the TFR depends on the economic condition, and the poor usually bear more children. The TFR of APL (Above Poverty Line) families is 2.3 against 2.49 for BPL (Below Poverty Line) families.

The committee further observed that in South Salmara and Mankachar, 68.42 per cent of women got married at or below 18 years of age. Underage marriage of women is 27.67 per cent among indigenous Muslim women, and it is higher than the national average of 23.3 per cent.

The committee surveyed 1,525 families in 16 districts, including Dibrugarh, Jorhat, Darrang, Sivasagar, Nalbari and Udalguri in the Brahmaputra Valley.

The committee recommended a few measures like extensive awareness programmes on family planning among the indigenous Muslims, formulation of government strategy to curb underage marriage, ensuring continuous availability of oral pills and condoms, providing IUCD and sterilization services on a camp basis or fixed-day basis in the nearest hospitals. It suggested workshops, meetings with district stakeholders, community leaders, and administration augment population sterilization activities. The committee wants revamp of the existing family planning wings of the government, particularly in South Salmara, Dhubri, Goalpara, Bongaigaon, Nalbari, Golaghat and Nagaon.

It sought proper implementation of the Population and Women Empowerment Policy of the Government of Assam, 2017. It wants universalization of education, especially on women, besides vigorous initiation of poverty alleviation programmes.

The committee said, "There shall be strict measures taken by the Government to ensure retention of girl students at schools, besides reviewing, enforcing and changing (if necessary) the laws and practices that discriminate against women."

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