A ‘Report of the Exploratory Study on the Socio Economic Status and Problems of Single Mothers (SM) in Meghalaya’ has uncovered interesting details into the background of most single mothers in the state, the number of whom is on the rise.
The report, released yesterday, has been prepared by the Meghalaya State Commission for Women in collaboration with the Department of Anthropology at NEHU and Department of Social Welfare at MLCU.
According to the report, there are 3,078 single mothers (SMs) in the seven districts of Meghalaya where the study was carried out. The districts are East Khasi Hills, West Khasi Hills, West Garo Hills, East Garo Hills, South Garo Hills, Ri-Bhoi and West Jaintia Hills. Out of the 3,078 SMs, 2,322 were interviewed.
Melari Nongrum, Associate Professor at the Indian Institute of Public Health, Shillong, said that the research found that widowhood is the prime factor in being a single mum, with 65.2 percent of SMs affected. Being deserted by their partner affects 28.6 percent while adultery accounted for another 14.8 percent.
A high proportion of SMs are either illiterate and/or who received only a basic level of education.
46.2 percent of single mums are illiterate, with 28.4 only having attended primary school; combined, this is nearly 75 percent of the total number of SMs.
Having to raise their children on their own means that a high proportion are also employed in some way as breadwinners. The report found that 36.1 percent of SMs are wage earners, 13.9 percent are involved in agriculture but 24.5 percent are unemployed. Many of those who work still face hardships due to meagre earnings as they mainly work in the unorganised sector and have to balance employment with raising their children.
All this can take a toll on single mothers’ health, with 50 percent of them reporting various health problems, like poor eyesight, diabetes, high blood pressure and psychological and emotional problems.
The report recommended that more awareness and sensitisation are necessary on women’s rights in Marriage, government schemes and banking facilities. It also suggested more engagement and networking with various stakeholders, such as women’s groups.
