Engaging Muslim Leaders in Support of Family Planning in Tanzania

Engaging Muslim Leaders in
Support of Family Planning
Gregory Kamugisha
Health Policy Initiative, Tanzania
in Tanzania
November 17 th 2009
International Conference on Family Planning
Kampala, Uganda
1a

Tanzania – RH, Population, and Development
• Population Size: Estimated 41 million in 2009,
growing at 2.9 percent per year
• Low-income country with per capita income of
$400 (WB, 2009), 75 percent is rural population
• Total fertility rate: 5.7 children per woman, 6.5
children per woman in rural areas (TDHS, 2004-05)
• Two-thirds of women are married by age 20 and
half of women give birth before age 20
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Tanzania – RH, Population and Development…2
• Maternal mortality rate: 578 per 100,000 live births
• 55 percent of births are in avoidable high-risk
category
• Use of modern contraceptive methods is 20 percent
and 26 percent for all methods
• Religious beliefs have strong influence on
contraceptive use and nearly half of population are
Muslims
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Less Females Ascend in Education
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Primary
Education
Education and Training Policy
Proposal, 2009; Tanzania Ministry of
Education and Vocational Training
Ord Sec
Education
Advanced Sec
Education
Bachelors
Admissions
Females
Males
4

Tanzania: Modern CPR in Married Women 2004-05
12%
15% 9%
13%
8%
24%
11%
2004-05 TDHS – ORC Macro and TBS
8%
17%
35%
17%
22%
26%
35%
30%
38%
12% Manyara
6% Pemba North
8% Pemba South
Kigoma
Kagera
Rukwa
Mwanza
Shinyanga
Tabora
Mbeya
Percentage of currently
married woman using
any modern method
Mara
Arusha
Singida
Dodoma
Ruvuma
Kili.
Tanga
29%
19%
Iringa
Pwani
Morogoro
Lindi
30%
26%
Mtwara
National Average: 20%
5% Zanzibar North
17% Zanzibar South
11% Town West
Dar- 35%
Higher than
national
average
Less than
national
average
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Engaging Muslim Leaders to
Support FP:
How the Program Worked
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Seeking the Ulamaa Support for FP: The Methodology…1
• HPI/TO1 consulted the National Muslims Council of
Tanzania (BAKWATA) through the Faith Based
Advocacy Group (FBAG) formed before.
• BAKWATA and FBAG recommended a consultative
meeting with members of the Supreme Clerical
Council of Muslims (Ulamaa).
• Consultative meeting was organized in which HPI
introduced Ulamaa members to the national and
household development challenges associated with
reproductive health and population.
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Seeking the Ulamaa Support for FP: The Methodology…2
• Orientation to Ulamaa used the RAPID
model package as well as other evidence-
based materials like TDHS with indicators on
the maternal and child health situation.
• Used video materials showing clarifications
on FP/RH matters and commitment of other
prominent Muslim leaders and scholars from
African countries of Mali, Mauritania,
Senegal, Ghana, and Uganda.
• Presentations specifically requested for an
Official Support Statement for FP from the
Ulamaa.
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Seeking the Ulamaa Support for FP: The Methodology…3
• Discussion on the presented materials was heated,
sometimes emotional, and concluded on two steps:
(i) Members of the Ulamaa taking time to review the
presented materials and consult the Holy Books before
deciding whether and how to issue the sought supportive
statement
(ii)Forming a small Technical Committee to further review
the presented materials, make reference to the Holy
Books like Holy Quran and Khadiths and advise on the
approach and premises over which the official Supportive
Statement could be built.
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Summary Deliberations and
Recommendations of the
Technical Committee
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Seeking the Ulamaa Support for FP: The Methodology…4
• There are no specific paragraphs or verses in the Holy
Quran that instruct or prohibit use of FP services among
Muslims.
• In such situation, Holy Books’ instruction to Muslims is to
use their common sense in determining what is logical for
their own benefits.
• There are several verses which warn that fear of poverty
should not be used as a reason to limit child bearing.
• Islam outlines responsibilities of parents to their children
(e.g. providing them with good guidance, protection, food,
education, healthcare) as well as the responsibilities of
children to their parents.
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Seeking the Ulamaa Support for FP: The Methodology…5
• Islam insists on the well being of mothers and their children, and
this responsibility is left to the men as husbands and fathers.
• FP can be directly advocated for on the grounds of preserving
good health for mothers. The Holy Quran prohibits Muslims from
putting themselves in danger or terminating their lives
unnecessarily (Q.4:29).
• If the well being of children, born or expected, is considered to be
put at risk because of the mother having to bear another child, this
makes another reason for FP. Muslims are wished by their Creator
good and light things, not heavy burdens (Q. 2:185).
• For acceptability purpose, the statement needs to be based on the
health and well being of mother and children.
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Results of the Advocacy
Intervention
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Engaging Muslims Leaders for FP – Results
• Second Ulamaa meeting was convened where members
exchanged notes and received the report and
recommendations of the Technical Committee
• The Official Clerical Statement (Fatwa) was issued as:
(i) In Islam, Birth Spacing is Permitted in Marriage Alone
(ii) In Marriage, Birth Spacing is Permitted only when it is really Needed
such as for Preserving the Health of Mothers and Children, already
Born or Expected
(iii) In circumstances where Birth Spacing is really Needed, any Safe and
Legal Method can be Used
(iv) Islam does not instruct for Reckless Childbearing. Because of that, Birth
Spacing can be Applied for the Benefits and Development of the Family
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Engaging Muslims Leaders for FP – Some Lessons
• Making references to Holy Books and linking the teachings to
the local evidence and environment.
• Showing support of religious leaders and scholars from other
countries supporting FP.
• Enabling trusted and respected Muslim leaders and scholars to
lead the process.
• Fostering flexibility in discussion, tolerance, and being
accommodative of different opinions as well as focusing on the
bigger picture.
• Focusing on the contribution of FP to maternal and child health
was more persuasive than the challenges of serving a larger
population.
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Issuing the Fatwa in Support of FP in Tanzania
Thank You Very Much!
Ahsante Sana!
• The Sheikhs following
the presentations
before deciding on the
Fatwa.
• Several other Sheikhs
gave detailed
clarifications on points
of the Fatwa on video
record.
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