Engaging Muslim Leaders in Support of Family Planning in Tanzania
Engaging Muslim Leaders in Support of Family Planning in Tanzania
Engaging Muslim Leaders in Support of Family Planning in Tanzania
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<strong>Engag<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>Muslim</strong> <strong>Leaders</strong> <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>Support</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Family</strong> Plann<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Gregory Kamugisha<br />
Health Policy Initiative, <strong>Tanzania</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong><br />
November 17 th 2009<br />
International Conference on <strong>Family</strong> Plann<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Kampala, Uganda<br />
1a
<strong>Tanzania</strong> – RH, Population, and Development<br />
• Population Size: Estimated 41 million <strong>in</strong> 2009,<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g at 2.9 percent per year<br />
• Low-<strong>in</strong>come country with per capita <strong>in</strong>come <strong>of</strong><br />
$400 (WB, 2009), 75 percent is rural population<br />
• Total fertility rate: 5.7 children per woman, 6.5<br />
children per woman <strong>in</strong> rural areas (TDHS, 2004-05)<br />
• Two-thirds <strong>of</strong> women are married by age 20 and<br />
half <strong>of</strong> women give birth before age 20<br />
2
<strong>Tanzania</strong> – RH, Population and Development…2<br />
• Maternal mortality rate: 578 per 100,000 live births<br />
• 55 percent <strong>of</strong> births are <strong>in</strong> avoidable high-risk<br />
category<br />
• Use <strong>of</strong> modern contraceptive methods is 20 percent<br />
and 26 percent for all methods<br />
• Religious beliefs have strong <strong>in</strong>fluence on<br />
contraceptive use and nearly half <strong>of</strong> population are<br />
<strong>Muslim</strong>s<br />
3
Less Females Ascend <strong>in</strong> Education<br />
80<br />
70<br />
60<br />
50<br />
40<br />
30<br />
20<br />
10<br />
0<br />
Primary<br />
Education<br />
Education and Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g Policy<br />
Proposal, 2009; <strong>Tanzania</strong> M<strong>in</strong>istry <strong>of</strong><br />
Education and Vocational Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g<br />
Ord Sec<br />
Education<br />
Advanced Sec<br />
Education<br />
Bachelors<br />
Admissions<br />
Females<br />
Males<br />
4
<strong>Tanzania</strong>: Modern CPR <strong>in</strong> Married Women 2004-05<br />
12%<br />
15% 9%<br />
13%<br />
8%<br />
24%<br />
11%<br />
2004-05 TDHS – ORC Macro and TBS<br />
8%<br />
17%<br />
35%<br />
17%<br />
22%<br />
26%<br />
35%<br />
30%<br />
38%<br />
12% Manyara<br />
6% Pemba North<br />
8% Pemba South<br />
Kigoma<br />
Kagera<br />
Rukwa<br />
Mwanza<br />
Sh<strong>in</strong>yanga<br />
Tabora<br />
Mbeya<br />
Percentage <strong>of</strong> currently<br />
married woman us<strong>in</strong>g<br />
any modern method<br />
Mara<br />
Arusha<br />
S<strong>in</strong>gida<br />
Dodoma<br />
Ruvuma<br />
Kili.<br />
Tanga<br />
29%<br />
19%<br />
Ir<strong>in</strong>ga<br />
Pwani<br />
Morogoro<br />
L<strong>in</strong>di<br />
30%<br />
26%<br />
Mtwara<br />
National Average: 20%<br />
5% Zanzibar North<br />
17% Zanzibar South<br />
11% Town West<br />
Dar- 35%<br />
Higher than<br />
national<br />
average<br />
Less than<br />
national<br />
average<br />
5
<strong>Engag<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>Muslim</strong> <strong>Leaders</strong> to<br />
<strong>Support</strong> FP:<br />
How the Program Worked<br />
6
Seek<strong>in</strong>g the Ulamaa <strong>Support</strong> for FP: The Methodology…1<br />
• HPI/TO1 consulted the National <strong>Muslim</strong>s Council <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Tanzania</strong> (BAKWATA) through the Faith Based<br />
Advocacy Group (FBAG) formed before.<br />
• BAKWATA and FBAG recommended a consultative<br />
meet<strong>in</strong>g with members <strong>of</strong> the Supreme Clerical<br />
Council <strong>of</strong> <strong>Muslim</strong>s (Ulamaa).<br />
• Consultative meet<strong>in</strong>g was organized <strong>in</strong> which HPI<br />
<strong>in</strong>troduced Ulamaa members to the national and<br />
household development challenges associated with<br />
reproductive health and population.<br />
7
Seek<strong>in</strong>g the Ulamaa <strong>Support</strong> for FP: The Methodology…2<br />
• Orientation to Ulamaa used the RAPID<br />
model package as well as other evidence-<br />
based materials like TDHS with <strong>in</strong>dicators on<br />
the maternal and child health situation.<br />
• Used video materials show<strong>in</strong>g clarifications<br />
on FP/RH matters and commitment <strong>of</strong> other<br />
prom<strong>in</strong>ent <strong>Muslim</strong> leaders and scholars from<br />
African countries <strong>of</strong> Mali, Mauritania,<br />
Senegal, Ghana, and Uganda.<br />
• Presentations specifically requested for an<br />
Official <strong>Support</strong> Statement for FP from the<br />
Ulamaa.<br />
8
Seek<strong>in</strong>g the Ulamaa <strong>Support</strong> for FP: The Methodology…3<br />
• Discussion on the presented materials was heated,<br />
sometimes emotional, and concluded on two steps:<br />
(i) Members <strong>of</strong> the Ulamaa tak<strong>in</strong>g time to review the<br />
presented materials and consult the Holy Books before<br />
decid<strong>in</strong>g whether and how to issue the sought supportive<br />
statement<br />
(ii)Form<strong>in</strong>g a small Technical Committee to further review<br />
the presented materials, make reference to the Holy<br />
Books like Holy Quran and Khadiths and advise on the<br />
approach and premises over which the <strong>of</strong>ficial <strong>Support</strong>ive<br />
Statement could be built.<br />
9
Summary Deliberations and<br />
Recommendations <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Technical Committee<br />
10
Seek<strong>in</strong>g the Ulamaa <strong>Support</strong> for FP: The Methodology…4<br />
• There are no specific paragraphs or verses <strong>in</strong> the Holy<br />
Quran that <strong>in</strong>struct or prohibit use <strong>of</strong> FP services among<br />
<strong>Muslim</strong>s.<br />
• In such situation, Holy Books’ <strong>in</strong>struction to <strong>Muslim</strong>s is to<br />
use their common sense <strong>in</strong> determ<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g what is logical for<br />
their own benefits.<br />
• There are several verses which warn that fear <strong>of</strong> poverty<br />
should not be used as a reason to limit child bear<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
• Islam outl<strong>in</strong>es responsibilities <strong>of</strong> parents to their children<br />
(e.g. provid<strong>in</strong>g them with good guidance, protection, food,<br />
education, healthcare) as well as the responsibilities <strong>of</strong><br />
children to their parents.<br />
11
Seek<strong>in</strong>g the Ulamaa <strong>Support</strong> for FP: The Methodology…5<br />
• Islam <strong>in</strong>sists on the well be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> mothers and their children, and<br />
this responsibility is left to the men as husbands and fathers.<br />
• FP can be directly advocated for on the grounds <strong>of</strong> preserv<strong>in</strong>g<br />
good health for mothers. The Holy Quran prohibits <strong>Muslim</strong>s from<br />
putt<strong>in</strong>g themselves <strong>in</strong> danger or term<strong>in</strong>at<strong>in</strong>g their lives<br />
unnecessarily (Q.4:29).<br />
• If the well be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> children, born or expected, is considered to be<br />
put at risk because <strong>of</strong> the mother hav<strong>in</strong>g to bear another child, this<br />
makes another reason for FP. <strong>Muslim</strong>s are wished by their Creator<br />
good and light th<strong>in</strong>gs, not heavy burdens (Q. 2:185).<br />
• For acceptability purpose, the statement needs to be based on the<br />
health and well be<strong>in</strong>g <strong>of</strong> mother and children.<br />
12
Results <strong>of</strong> the Advocacy<br />
Intervention<br />
13
<strong>Engag<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>Muslim</strong>s <strong>Leaders</strong> for FP – Results<br />
• Second Ulamaa meet<strong>in</strong>g was convened where members<br />
exchanged notes and received the report and<br />
recommendations <strong>of</strong> the Technical Committee<br />
• The Official Clerical Statement (Fatwa) was issued as:<br />
(i) In Islam, Birth Spac<strong>in</strong>g is Permitted <strong>in</strong> Marriage Alone<br />
(ii) In Marriage, Birth Spac<strong>in</strong>g is Permitted only when it is really Needed<br />
such as for Preserv<strong>in</strong>g the Health <strong>of</strong> Mothers and Children, already<br />
Born or Expected<br />
(iii) In circumstances where Birth Spac<strong>in</strong>g is really Needed, any Safe and<br />
Legal Method can be Used<br />
(iv) Islam does not <strong>in</strong>struct for Reckless Childbear<strong>in</strong>g. Because <strong>of</strong> that, Birth<br />
Spac<strong>in</strong>g can be Applied for the Benefits and Development <strong>of</strong> the <strong>Family</strong><br />
14
<strong>Engag<strong>in</strong>g</strong> <strong>Muslim</strong>s <strong>Leaders</strong> for FP – Some Lessons<br />
• Mak<strong>in</strong>g references to Holy Books and l<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g the teach<strong>in</strong>gs to<br />
the local evidence and environment.<br />
• Show<strong>in</strong>g support <strong>of</strong> religious leaders and scholars from other<br />
countries support<strong>in</strong>g FP.<br />
• Enabl<strong>in</strong>g trusted and respected <strong>Muslim</strong> leaders and scholars to<br />
lead the process.<br />
• Foster<strong>in</strong>g flexibility <strong>in</strong> discussion, tolerance, and be<strong>in</strong>g<br />
accommodative <strong>of</strong> different op<strong>in</strong>ions as well as focus<strong>in</strong>g on the<br />
bigger picture.<br />
• Focus<strong>in</strong>g on the contribution <strong>of</strong> FP to maternal and child health<br />
was more persuasive than the challenges <strong>of</strong> serv<strong>in</strong>g a larger<br />
population.<br />
15
Issu<strong>in</strong>g the Fatwa <strong>in</strong> <strong>Support</strong> <strong>of</strong> FP <strong>in</strong> <strong>Tanzania</strong><br />
Thank You Very Much!<br />
Ahsante Sana!<br />
• The Sheikhs follow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
the presentations<br />
before decid<strong>in</strong>g on the<br />
Fatwa.<br />
• Several other Sheikhs<br />
gave detailed<br />
clarifications on po<strong>in</strong>ts<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Fatwa on video<br />
record.<br />
16