SHILLONG:
Hours before tendering her resignation as Chairperson of the Meghalaya State Commission for Women (MSCW) Phidalia Toi expressed concern over the growing numbers of single mothers in the state which is 13.5 per cent.
She was speaking at the seminar on ‘Socio-Economic Status of Single Mothers’ organised by the MSCW with support of the National Commission for Women, New Delhi at the State Convention Centre on Friday.
It may be mentioned that a survey was conducted by the MSCW in collaboration with department of anthropology, NEHU and department of Social Work, Martin Luther Christian University (MLCU) during the tenure of former Chairperson of the Commission Theilin Phanbuh.
In her address, Toi said, “The reports are that they found that 13.5 per cent are single mothers in Meghalaya and that has affected me very deeply.”
After reading the reports which were released last year in December, she said that she started consulting educationists, sociologists, NGOs and others to know the reason for the alarming rise in single mothers and teenage pregnancy in the state.
“It is time for us to find out the root cause and if we diagnose social evils, then only we can find out ways to cure it,” Toi said.
Meanwhile, the member of the National Commission for Women Delina Khongdup remarked that blindly following western culture and not revering the customs and practices of the matrilineal society has led to single motherhood.
“We have our clans, our uncles, our parents and distant relatives and if we pay heed to the teachings of our ancestors, we would not have to face such problems. It is time for us to learn something from the past which is positive and bring it back to the present,” she said.
Stressing on the need of obeying the rules and regulations of the ancestors which will act as a solution to single parenting, Khongdup however, pointed to a problem that it is such rules and regulations are not codified.
“Our laws, our practices are not yet codified which is the duty of our representatives especially in the District Council as it safeguards our customary practices,” Khongdup said.
She said that women folks can be solely blamed for single mothers.
According to Khongdup, some children raised by single parents are prone to depression, stress and often fall prey to substance abuse and get involved in other crimes.
Associate Professor of Indian Institute of Public Health Dr Melari Nongrum said that according to the survey conducted by her, the reason for the escalation of single mothers is due to abandonment by the husband as an impact of adultery.
Giving a presentation, she said that there are 15.57 per cent of single mothers in rural areas and 11.77 per cent in urban areas. The rate of single mothers is high among the Jaintia community which accounts to 16.33 per cent, Khasi is 12.01 per cent, and Garo is 13.96 per cent.