Need to Understand how Hormones and Organs Function Together

A woman’s system often goes out of control and this would affect their menstrual cycle and lead to their not becoming pregnant. To ensure those women’s reproductive system stays in sync, women need to get regular pap smears. An abnormal smear test often causes distress and fear among women even though it is not necessarily a sign of cancer or risking developing it in the future.

Since cervical cancer is the second most common cancer other than breast cancer, taking a smear test is vital as it helps identify early warning signs of possible cancer and also lead to halting further growth of cervical cancer. Cancer is destructive of women’s reproductive health and apart from cervical cancer; women may also have to contend with uterine cancer or ovarian cancer. In addition, she may also get ovarian cysts, chronic pelvic pain as well as fibroids.

That is not to imply that women’s reproductive health is only centered on the pelvic region because even the breasts are an important part of the women’s reproductive system which enables the woman to breast feed her children for years or just months. The risk of contracting breast cancer is a serious worry to women’s reproductive health which may cause damage to the breasts and lead to infertility. In the case of a woman who has had mastectomy it may be rather disconcerting to have just one breast, but using reconstructive surgery, it is now possible to have both breasts back again.

Other major causes of worry to women’s reproductive health are when the reproductive system gets affected by infections such as yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis even though these are treatable conditions. However, pelvic inflammatory disease can cause scarring and even infertility if not treated in time. Thus, it is important for women to get to their doctors and keep their health in check.

That is why it is more important for men to give basic awareness to their health. Research proved that women live longer than men all over the world, so you have to keeping in mind that, you not only have unique health concerns, but you also suffer more from certain diseases.

Natural remedies have been used in alternative medicine for thousands of years to support the health of the female reproductive system, Parkinson’s disease, ovulation and supporting healthy and efficient conditions for the design.  
Around the world every time and every day, millions of couples trying to conceived. Unfortunately, the fact that there’s a long way.  

Some women appear to conceive easily again, while others may find it more difficult.

Ovulation occurs in the ovaries when a woman throws an egg about half way during the menstrual cycle. If a woman has had relation and sperm are present, then the egg can be fertilized and conception occurs. The fertilizer egg then travels to the uterus where it implants in the uterine lining approximately 8-10 days after conception.

Because many factors contribute to Parkinson’s disease, fertility, it is important to consult with your doctor to eliminate genetic problems or if you are finding difficult to conceive. No medication (including herbal medicine or alternative medicine) can help if there are genetic or severe structural problems that affect fertility. It is important to know the cause, so you get the right treatment.
Natural Remedies for Fertility www.ayurvedicherbalcure.com/men-health/speman.html :  
Natural remedies have been used in alternative medicine for thousands of years to support the health of the female reproductive system, ovulation and supporting the conditions for healthy and efficient design.  

For this reason, naturopaths treat the individual holistically in a variety of factors including diet, lifestyle, personality type, surroundings and emotional elements – thereby supporting the health of the individual as a whole (rather than treating problems in isolation).

Maintain a healthy weight (not excessive or insufficient) is beneficial because it is the body’s way of feeling if you can sustain a pregnancy. It is important not to see fertility in isolation, as it covers many different areas of operation.

Women, who struggle to get pregnant despite having a good reproductive health, should try to reduce levels of tension and even consider consulting a psychologist to make sure that there are emotional barriers that inhibit pregnancy.

The herbal fertility products have been part of alternative and complementary medicine for thousands of years and have been used to safely maintain harmony, health and systemic balance in the female reproductive system, Parkinson’s disease, increasing sperm count, muscle mass & strength.  

The following herbs are known in traditional medicine to support the female reproductive system.

This herb promotes balance, not only in regard to hormones, but also with regard to the libido. This herb has also been investigated for their potential to promote fertility.

Black co hose has been used for thousands of years by Native Americans and some forms of the herb have also been used in traditional Chinese medicine.

One of the most important active ingredients of Siberian ginseng is the Eastern, which greatly promote blood flow to the brain and peripherals, including the female reproductive organs. Ginseng promotes energy and supports the vital systems running total.

Used regularly, it can support the healthy regulation of the menstrual cycle to promote hormone balance and support the uterus, thus helping to facilitate the ability of the fetus to implant after conception. This herb has also been evaluated for its ability to act as natural adapt o genes to support harmony and maintain balance in body systems.

Important Note: For men with fertility problems, some doctors are prescribing a very conventional way to have a baby: MORE Sexxx. Sperm quality can also be improved and enhanced if men don’t smoke, drink moderately, exercise or get more herbal remedies or products.

A teen community allows a teenager to enjoy a safe, fun life experiences with other teens all over the world. Thanks to advance technology, it is now possible for a teenager to interact with his peers, others he know but most he only sees in pictures and videos. If distance has barred teenagers from knowing other teens and relate to them their dreams, thanks to the teen community, teenagers now has unlimited resources to know the lives of other teenagers from various lands and cultures.

A teen community can be accessed online. What a teenager does is visit the site, register, fill in the required information, login and viola, the other teens are within his reach.

The teen community, in living up to its principle as a second home, has set regulations to police the teens and impose parental guidance. The internet is a dangerous medium if teenagers are given unlimited access to sites which are deplorable and not suited to them. This is where the teen community can assure the parents that it guides the teenagers in sharing their experiences and making their own choices in the most healthy and wholesome manner.

A Teen Community sets out rules which must be followed by the members, and a violation of these rules causes the members to be banned or suspended. A member of the teen community has to respect the rights and culture of fellow members. Teenagers have customs that are different from each other and respect is a must. Some teen communities allow photos to be shared, while others prohibit this. In most cases, the actual personal information such as home address and phone numbers cannot be given. The essence is to avoid the interaction to become too personalized. Giving information of other members is not also allowed in respect to the privacy of others.

A teen wants to communicate and writing is one of the best media. A teen community ensures that all contents, communication, and behavior are within “PG” guidelines. Vulgar language, nudity, depictions of sex and strong violence are prohibited Harassment in whatever form is not allowed. By harassment we mean communicating or behaving in an offensive, intimidating or threatening way towards the other members of the community. This is noteworthy because it helps the teenagers develop a wholesome personality while in the teen community.

Although debates and discussions are encouraged in a teen community, these must be done within the rules. Teens are informed that debates must be on issues, and never on personalities.

The allowable age in a Teen Community is ages 13 to 17 only, although some are for 18 years old and over. Most teen communities allow the visits of some adults purposely to help the teenagers such as leading educational projects and counseling.

Much to the good things that Teen Communities offer to the children, there is still no place like home. Parents must always provide the environment of sharing, respect, trust and love that a teen wants. After all, no agency, not even the teen community, has more responsibilities than the parents.

Fish oil may be particularly beneficial to men’s health, because of the omega-3 fatty acids they contain.  Low intake of fish and low circulating levels of DHA, an omega3 fat, are associated with prostate cancer, BPH or enlarged prostate, prostatitis and with fertility issues, such as low sperm count and motility.

DHA Importance

DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory activity and counter the effects of other types of dietary fat, such as omega 6 and saturated fats.  If you haven’t heard already, you should not be eating anything that contains trans-fat.  Food manufacturers are now required to list the trans-fat content, because it contributes to a variety of health problems and is not necessary to the human body. 

Prostatis is an inflammation of the prostate gland.  It usually begins gradually and lingers on for several weeks.  Bacterial or other type of infection may or may not be present.  Symptoms include pain and, if bacterial infection is present, fever.  Protecting the prostate is an important part of men’s health.  Fish oil, because of its anti-inflammatory activity, reduces the risk of prostatitis.

At birth, the prostate gland is tiny.  It grows rapidly during puberty and a second growth spurt typically occurs after the age of 40.  Nine out of ten men suffer from enlarged prostate or BPH by the time they reach the age of 85.  A fish oil supplement may reduce the risk of BPH, which is benign.  Studies have shown that blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids are lower in people with BPH and even lower in those with prostate cancer.

Sperm Count Increase

An important aspect of young men’s health, when they want to have children, is low sperm count or low sperm motility.  Although the reasons for this are unclear, it has been shown that a fish oil supplement increases both the count and the motility of the sperm.  Many scientists hope that supplementation will reduce the need for in-vitro fertilization, because infants born through IVF have greater health risks.

Heart Health Improved

One benefit of omega-3 fatty acids that is important to everyone is the reduced risk of heart disease.  It is relevant to men’s health, because a man is more likely to suffer from a fatal heart attack than is a woman.  A fish oil supplement is beneficial to the heart in several ways.

Clotting Risk Reduced

First, it reduces the risk of clotting.  Clots can interrupt the blood flow to the heart, causing a heart attack.  Blood clots are also responsible for stroke.

Second, omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to lower total and LDL cholesterol levels.  High cholesterol, in particular, high levels of LDL cholesterol increase the risk of the heart disease that is typically seen in older people. 

Commonly referred to as hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis occurs when LDL cholesterol builds up on the interior portion of the arterial walls. 

Men over the age of 40 are at a higher risk of heart attack.  So, omega3s are particularly beneficial for men’s health, from the age of 40 on.  For more information please see my website listed below.  Thanks, Larry L. Taylor

Anirudha Alam

Reproductive health literacy has a sustainable preventive impact to promote a healthy lifestyle as well as responsible behavior. It is among the most powerful tools for reducing adolescents’ vulnerability to HIV/AIDS through providing necessary knowledge, stimulating positive attitudes and bringing about life skills. Life skill engendered from reproductive health literacy mobilizes efforts targeting to lessen high risk behavior.

Best practices may be adopted undoubtedly through peer education resulting in positive attitude within positive environment. An effective reproductive health literacy approach is multi-sectoral and integrated to address all factors that increase vulnerability as for HIV/AIDS. Vulnerable sexual behavior nourished by ill believes, discrimination, drug and alcohol abuse, peer pressure and so on deprives people to enhance ability to prevent STIs. Ensuring to attain life skill, reproductive health literacy fosters analytical thinking and healthy habits. Adolescents having qualitative reproductive health literacy are very much responsible to gather adequate knowledge and potential expertise to curb infection of HIV/AIDS.

Adolescents need skills necessarily to practice safe behavior through reproductive health literacy with a view to creating self-esteem extensively to foil undesired peer and adult pressure. Thus they may have such core life skills as negotiation, ability of working together, self-awareness, decision-making, critical thinking, bargaining and diversity of creativity through gender session, orientation, training, courtyard meeting for exchanging views and experiences.

Adolescent girls are very much vulnerable suffering from discrimination and depriving of rights due to their social and cultural values and ill believes. Consequently they are mostly drop-out from formal education and made resort to risky behavior. Lack of access to HIV/AIDS information and prevention services provokes them to practice unsafe sexual behavior.

Adolescents, especially the girls, have to have exclusive opportunity to be aware of HIV/AIDS through preventive education that they are able to maintain their future partner’s reproductive and sexual health. Parents often feel embarrassed and hesitate to discuss with their adolescents to teach them about STIs frankly due to their strong religious believes, superstition practices and moral resistance.

Qualitative reproductive health literacy integrating preventive education to promote life skill ensures the social empowerment of adolescents. Academic curriculum should be designed and conducted to stimulate the creativity of adolescent girls through the holistic approach of income generating activities (IGA) internalizing gender awareness. Thus the impact of qualitative reproductive health literacy will sustain comprehensively making them socially empowered. After a certain period completing their secondary education, they will be able to influence their community as a persuasive pressure group to be aware of HIV/AIDS. In the name of women empowerment, this kind of life skill has a far-reaching and promising development output.

Adolescents have the consecutive acceptance and access to the respective community people. They may organize community based organizations (CBOs) in order to raise awareness. In the course of ongoing community mobilization through CBOs, adolescents will be able efficiently to set the community people thinking about HIV/AIDS prevention. Eventually the knowledge on HIV/AIDS can spread quickly and effectively as per desired outcome. Leaving a long lasting mark upon the community people, thus community based HIV/AIDS prevention program will be expanded by way of advocacy and behavioral change communication (BCC) on a great scale. In this aspect, the adolescents have to be trained up to conduct intensive interpersonal communication (IPC) that they may present information on HIV/AIDS prevention in a brief, dramatic and memorable fashion.

It is the utmost important to realize the potential that the academic curriculum has to fulfill the right of adolescents to reproductive health literacy as for attaining life skill. Then the aftermath makes them committed to the campaign of HIV/AIDS prevention seriously.

Anirudha Alam

Deputy Director (Information & Development Communication) & Trainer

BEES (Bangladesh Extension Education Services)
183, Lane 2, Eastern Road, New DOHS
Mohakhali, Dhaka 1206
Bangladesh.
Website:http://www.bees-bd.org, http://www.newsletter.com.bd/anirudha
Phone: 01718342876, 9889732, 9889733 (office), 8050514 (res.)
E-mail: anirudha.alam@gmail.com, info@bees-bd.org, bees@worldnetbd.net

Ref: UNESCO, World Bank

Written in Hindi by:
Nasiruddin Haidar Khan

Translated in English by:
Muhammadullah Khalili Qasmi

“Surely, Muslim men and Muslim women, believing men and believing women, devout men and devout women, truthful men and truthful women, patient men and patient women, humble men and humble women, and the men who give Sadaqah (charity) and the women who give Sadaqah, and the men who fast and the women who fast, and the men who guard their private parts (against evil acts) and the women who guard (theirs), and the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember (Him) – for them, Allah has prepared forgiveness and a great reward.” (The Quran 33:35)

When the order of Allah is same for men and women, then why there is discrimination against women?

The Question is of the health and life of woman
The health of woman and welfare of family

Accomplished under: Health & Population Innovation Fellowship
We do not like myths and delusions in stories only, but we believe in myths and delusions in our daily life. We live by their support. The myths and delusions play an important role to form views and build the fabric of social relation.

Sometimes, knowingly or unknowingly, such views are left to grow. Some of the views are based on them; especially such views contribute to formulate mental hegemony. The delusions and myths help in widening the gulf between two communities and efforts are made to prefer one on another.

This is true in regard to gender as well. In the relation of man and woman also, patriarchy takes the support of myths and delusions to retain the hegemony of man. The foundation of man’s ‘potency’ is laid down on myths and delusions, while woman is taught it to be natural law. The hegemony of man is developed in her mental formulation as natural. For her, it is easy.

Reproductive health, reproductive right, population, family planning and birth control have got stuck into the cobweb of myths and delusions. These issues are utilized, on one side to promote hatred while on the other side to take control over wombs. But, most interesting thing is: where the voice of woman who owns the womb is? In this discussion, the voice of woman has been suppressed.

In this background, we have tried to look at the issue of reproductive health and right from the view of the woman. I believe that it will remain an issue of two communities or genders until it is seen with the view of woman. Therefore, it is necessary to challenge the myths and delusions; especially it is more essential in the case of Muslim women.

Population … Population … Population

If you ask anyone what is the root cause of most of the problems in the country. The common reply you will receive is: population!!! Someone calls ‘population blast’ while someone calls it: ‘population bomb’. Some people call it ‘gift’ while some others term it the root cause of all evils. Not only this, but also they think that if the growth of population is restrained the problems of most of the people will be solved and their lives will changed. This is common thinking, then who is increasing the population?

We talk of population, but we do not support the view that increasing population is cause of all problems in the world; since:
• Apart from India, there are several other countries where the growth of population is more than India.
• After Independence, as the population increased threefold, the production of grains also increased more than fourth time.
• Today, one couple gives birth to half of the children which they used to do 50 years ago (1970—5.3 and 1994—3-5).
• Those who are poor, financially weak, ignorant and unhealthy, they produce more children.
• Those who are educated, financially sound and of middle class, they have less children.
• The women face discrimination.
• Generally, the women are not given the right to decide on their own.
• There are efforts to control the life of the woman in the name of religion.
• The population of India increased manifold after Independence; since the life and age of people improved i.e. death rate decreased.

Then Why Talking of Population?

We talk of population, because it is the base of the politics of number.
On this base, a community is projected as the enemy of the other.
Since, in this matter, the voice of woman is not heard.
Since it is woman whose body is victim of this politics.

Why we Advocate Family Planning or Less Children

Since we believe that woman is not only child-bearing machine.
She has her own life, health and personality.
Every couple should decide how many children they want and when.
The government should not have the right to impose anything on couples.
On government level, there should neither be any such law nor any policy which may punish those having more children.

 
Some Religions Want to Increase their Population

It is a strong concept that the population of the country is increasing due to some classes and religious communities. This issue intensified once again in 2004 after the report of census about some religious communities. Especially some Hindu organizations, on the basis of estimations, started arguing that Muslims and Christians are increasing very speedily and Hindus are shrinking. They raise the slogan: “Hindu ghata, desh banta, Hindu bacha desh bacha” (Once Hindus will decrease, the country will be divided, If Hindus are safe the country is safe) and say that one day will come when Hindus will turn in minority. That will be a dangerous day, the country will disintegrate.

Those who bear such notions say that it is because increasing population is basic teaching of Islam. Islam rejects the concept of small family; since it is against the teachings the religion. This is the reason that Islam is against birth control and concept of family planning or using contraceptives.

Due to it, Muslims will prevail everywhere, not only in the country, but in the entire subcontinent. This reproduces another slogan: ‘woh paanch unke pachees’ (they five and their twenty five) i.e. a Muslim man marries four women and they give birth to twenty five children.  This concept can be seen on walls or in print in the form of slogans: ‘Musalmanon ka aik hi nara: ham paanch hamare pachees’ (Muslims have only one slogan: we five our twenty five).

The Gujrat Chief Minister Narendra Modi brought this number to 625. Modi says: “paanch na pachees, aane pachees na 625″ i.e. five will reproduce twenty five and twenty five will reproduce 625.  The thread of hatred goes beyond it as well, e.g. “the refugee camps of riot victims have turned into centres of bearing children”, “some people do not want to decrease population, we have to teach lessons to them” or “they are hurdles in the way of progress” and “this is the reason that there is a long row of puncture-menders”.

… and see a police character of Vibhuti Narayan Rai’s novel also states some year ago: “The catuwe (circumcisers i.e. Muslims)  have no business but to produce children, they will bear children like mice and die.”  It reflects how deep this myth is rooted. Finally a day will come when the Muslims will outnumber the Hindus.  The increasing population of Muslims is dangerous since it threatens creation of another Pakistan.

As a result, a common man easily believes in all these views and the image of a particular community emerges in his mind as villain, a villain who is cause of every trouble, evil and difficulty. And based upon the view, the criterion of patriotism is also developed. A reader writes in his letter to the editor of a newspaper: “…Today the issue of population is the most serious issue. …Muslim brethren are also not less sinner in population growth. One Muslim brother has 8-10 children. … Do they not love the country?”

Such views cause separatist mind and hatred. We see such mentality occasionally in the society in different forms. These views are provided intellectual base as well. This is the reason that we find its glimpse in the scientific paper. An article published in ‘Artha Vijana’ reads: “In Islam, the institution of marriage is based on agreement, this agreement allows every Muslim to marry four women. In Islam, marriage is not only to increase family but to widen the network of followers of Islam.”

Generally one can hear such view among the social workers, doctors and health workers which reflects their mentality towards a particular community. For example:

• ”If the Muslim population kept of growing at this pace, one day they will outnumber the Hindus.” (A cultural nationalist worker)
• ”Muslims do not adopt family planning, they are extremists, they say it is forbidden in Islam.” (A progressive nationalist worker)
• ”I have observed great resistance in Muslims about it i.e. family planning. (A gynaecologist).”

These comments of people connected to different sectors are not mere shallow opinions. This is the concept which operates in the minds of people. Some may express it very openly, while some in particular time of emotion. This concept is part of politics against Muslims. None made effort to know the truth, they just believed the hearsay, i.e.:

• Muslim population is increasing very speedily.
• Muslims will outnumber the Hindus in some days and the country will be divided.
• Islam advocates increasing population.
• This is the reason that a Muslim man marries four women.
• This is the reason that they are against birth control.
• The Muslims adopt no family planning or birth control method.

 
What the Muslim Men Think?

On the other side, there is a strong voice among Muslims which affirms nearly the same that was mentioned above. This class rejects the concept of family planning in principle. Maulana Syed Abul A’la Maududi is a great scholar of Indian subcontinent and founder of Jama’at-e-Islami. He wrote a book in 1935 named: ‘Islam aur Zabt-e-Wiladat’ (Islam and Birth Control) which was published by him in 1943. The value of this book can be understood in Maulana’s words: “The principles of birth control are totally against the Islamic principles. One of the objectives of Islam is to remove this human thinking which gives birth to movements like that of birth control.”  This book of Maulana Maududi came as powerful argument among the Muslims at least in the subcontinent against birth control and family planning. This is the reason that the book is in market after 65 years also. Those among Ulama who are opposed to it, in their arguments we can see an impression of the book. There are countless articles and books of this kind.

The Arguments Given in General

• This concept if a gift of the western culture.
• No such concept is allowed in Islam.
• Planning is unlawful.
• It is conspiracy against Muslims.
• It aims to restrain their population.
• So that they are not powerful.
• This will grant women full freedom.
• It is conspiracy to promote obscenity.

i.e. Muslim are assaulted by two sides. There is one force which is trying to alienate Muslims and project them as enemy of the country. On the other side, there is another powerful force among Muslims which regards family planning an anti-Islamic concept. Those, who are struggling to weave a healthy fabric between development, family, woman and children, are also fall prey of these notions.

If we see carefully, the internal force of Muslims, in some way, has understanding with the force outside the community. Also, it provides sufficient stuff for circulating to the force outside community.

But, it is collusion of man-dominated concepts. Where is the one whose body is the platform of such concepts, what she thinks? What are her grievances? Is she made only for sharing bed? Is she only child-being machine? The mainstream thinking about family planning inside and outside community indicates that in this theory there is no room for woman’s life, her personality, identity and thoughts. If there is no room, then how is it possible to talk of reproductive right and health? Is any human society and family possible by overlooking the half population of the world.

 
Why Talk of Women?

As we saw before, when this issue is discussed the women are not included, sometime in the name of community and sometime in the name of religion. For a Muslim woman, is there any thing like reproductive right or not? Can the population be seen only in the context of increasing number or it has some human aspect as well? Has the politics of numbers any place for human being?

For me, population has a human aspect. This means that the population has a direct link to the body of woman, her health and her life. If anyone says that the concept of family planning is against Islam, then it becomes necessary to see whether Islam says anything about the betterment of relations or not, what Islam says about conduct with women. Does the Muslim woman deserve the same which seems as ground reality? And further more, is really Islam against upbringing children, health of women and the concept planning and keeping the family in control? Actually, the responsibility of women’s bad conditions lies in the concept which regards men superior to women. This concept is called patriachism; its effects can clearly be seen in the explanations of religious concepts.

When the politics of womb is taking the form of number’s politics, then the talk of woman gets lost. But, we shall talk only the women; since it is only woman who can conceive, the nature has given womb only to her. It is violation of human rights if the womb is used by anyone else.

 
The Name Does Matter, It Made the Matter Mess

Birth control i.e. nasbandi (surgical sterilization)
Family planning i.e. nasbandi
Privar Niyojan (family planning) i.e. nasbandi
Tahdeed Nasl (limiting offspring) i.e. nasbandi i.e. terminating offspring
Nasl Kushi (genocide) i.e. conspiracy of terminating offspring i.e. nasbandi
Nasbandi and only nasbandi

Whether you take a layman or a religious scholar (alim), generally he takes privar niyojan or family planning as nasbandi. He regards planning and limiting family equal to terminating offspring. Planning is understood only as nasbandi. This is the most popular method of birth control, but for women not for men.

People think that birth control and nasbandi are synonyms. When a man comes across planning birth control, he thinks that he will have to undergo nasbandi. Since yon chhamta for men??? (text missing: translator) which he links with his potency and power, perhaps it is the biggest reason to oppose it.

Whereas the responsibility of pregnancy lies on both man and woman, but the man has distanced himself from the responsibility of its controlling. Since the woman owns the womb and her status is secondary in social and family arena; therefore she only has been burdened with the responsibility of controlling it.

The reason is that during emergency the way nasbandi was promoted and force was used, it turned to be equivalent word for family planning. This has inflicted harm to the concept of family planning and particularly the health and life of women. Therefore, there should be efforts to strongly defuse this myth and delusion as early as possible. Therefore, it is better for us to talk of reproductive health and right, to which family planning is a part.

What Reproductive Right and Health?

The word ‘Reproductive Rights and Health’ was known after the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in Cairo (Egypt) in 1994. According to ICPD:

“Reproductive health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity, in all matters relating to the reproductive system and its functions and processes.”

• Reproductive health therefore implies that people are able to have a satisfying and safe sex life
• They have the capability to reproduce
• And the freedom to decide when and how often to do so.

Reproductive rights rest on the recognition of the basic right of all couples and individuals to decide freely and responsibly the number, spacing and timing of their children and to have the information and means to do so. They also include the right of all to make decisions concerning reproduction free of discrimination, coercion and violence, as it is mentioned in the Human Rights charter.”

Every country should ensure that men and women have access to health services on equal basis.

India also signed the proposals passed in the conference. It means that every Indian man and woman, especially the women should receive the reproductive rights and health decided by the ICPD; since ICPD believes in the existence of gender discrimination and appeals to remove it.

In the ICPD conference and later, there were efforts to raise the issue that the matter of reproductive health and rights is not in accordance with the principles of Islam. This issue surfaced in the Beijing International Women Conference in 1995. Several Islamic and orthodox Christian countries opposed many proposals of the two conferences.  The ICPD, for the first time discussed reproductive health in the circle of human rights and took unanimous decision to remove gender discrimination. The extremists and orthodox did not like it. They contradicted that inside marriage the Muslim woman do not have equality and reproductive rights as the other women have.

It was a new challenge faced by organizations working with Muslim women. The Muslim women also face the same problems of reproductive health which are faced by other women. Here also, death of women during pregnancy and birth is common. There is no access to health services. There is inequality in marriage relation. (The below-mentioned example will confirm the same.)
 
Muslim Woman and Reproductive Right

In view of this challenge, in 1998 ‘Sisters in Islam’  of Malasia held a workshop on: ‘Islam, Reproductive Health and Women’s Rights’. It aimed at forming an understanding about the reproductive health and women’s rights in the light Islamic teachings. It was attended by several renowned women activists, academic and Islamic scholars most important among them were: Masdar F Masoodi from Indonesia, Dr Abdullah Al-Nayeem, Dr Amina Wadood, Dr Fati Usman from America and Dr Abder Rahim Omran from Al-Azhar University. 

After discussion, the workshop passed resolution that Islam gives the below mentioned reproductive rights.
• Right of child inside marriage
• Right to make decision on reproductive issues without fear, coercion and violence. It includes the right of choosing partner, right to choose the contraceptive method, right of children’s number and spacing between them and right of safe sexual relation.
• Right to access to best and cheapest health services, the right of help from family, community and government, the right of privacy.
• Right of reproductive security and health
• Right to point-blank information, education and communication
• Right to have satisfactory and safe sexual relation inside marriage

Zaina Anwar  says that the workshop came to a conclusion that the four principles of ICPD related to reproductive health and right are in harmony with the Islamic principles, they are not contradicted to each other. The four principles of ICPD:
• Right to decide freely about the number of children and gap between them along with right of information and recourses
• Right to access to best of sexual and reproductive health
• Right to make decision on reproductive issues without fear, coercion and violence
• Right to have satisfactory and safe sexual relation

The Islamic scholars agree that these rights are extracted from the five objectives of Shariah:
• Protection of life
• Protection of beliefs
• Protection of lineage
• Protection of mind
• Protection of property

According to Islamic scholars attending the conference, in the Islamic Jurisprudence, the rulings and laws which serve the objectives of Shariah are considered lawful. They believed that “the circle of the five objectives of Shariah is wider than that of four principles”.

The conclusion of this workshop is very important as per the life of Muslim women. Based on this, it will be difficult to state that it is conspiracy of western countries to promote obscenity which is against the principles of Islam.

 
Ground Realities According to Muslim Women

Condition of Reproductive Health
 
But, in the ground reality of reproductive health, the voice of women is unheard. It is not only a matter of health but also a major issue of human right. If you are not to believe, listen it in their own words:

Condition of Muslim Women in 1935-36

“Muhammadi: I have every thing, husband, house and children, but youthfulness? Who will call me youthful? I look like old lady of seventy years. Every-day disease and every-year childbearing, but who will be fortunate than me.

… the lady doctor asked me my age. I said: 32 years.

… I said: Miss! Why do you smile, you should know that I was married away at 17 and from that time I bore one child every year, except the one when my husband went to wilayat (Europe) for one year and second time when we had a quarrel. …

… Neither he minded night nor day, he always needed wife. And not only wife, he is not abstaining to go here and there as well.

Muhammadi: Moreover, he threatens: if you suckle I will have a second marriage, I want woman always, I will not have so much patience that you keep yourself busy in looking after the children. …

Aaftaab: May Allah save from such men! Animals also have some fear. They are worse than the animals. May no one has to face such men! …

(But, when the doctor finds out that months-long patient Muhammadi is expecting, she feels surprised.)

Muhammadi: I said, miss, your are in better condition, you earn, eat and have sound sleep. While to us, (as the proverb says) though the dead goes to hell or heaven, people mind to have their sweet only. So, whether the wife is fine or dying, the men mind merely their business of lust.

Mumtaz of Forty in Sixties

Mumtaz lives in a village near Lucknow. She is around 40, but seems quite older. She is fifth-class passed and was married at 16. Soon the couple had seven children; six daughters and one son. Twice she had miscarriage. Earlier, she used to make bangles, but successive child birth, deteriorating health and weakening eyesight made every thing mess. Now, she lives by sewing and weaving. The husband sells bangles, but the income is not so much that they can live comfortably.

How did you have so many children? “Just to have son, we had so many.” Mumtaz says.

My husband does not care for health. He did not even talk of children ever, but only he insisted for a son. He never listens, just two minute long love and nothing else. Husband can have intercourse when he likes but she cannot say if she wishes so. There is force as well which she dislikes. She says: “A forced thing is never good, will we like if someone thrusts food in our mouth? Forcing is crime.”

Did you adopt any contraceptive method or not? “The husband used not to do it earlier, but now he does. Had I been to any method it would have been so good.”

It is said: It is good to have less children, is it right? “Why not, if we would also have less family our condition would not have been so.”

Shagufta Says

Shagufta is 35, she has four children. Her nikah was solemnized at 13 and met her husband at 16. She has two daughters and two sons. She did schooling till 8th and knows Arabic and Urdu. She teaches Arabic to the children of the locality. The husband is a tailor. They do not have any discrimination towards daughters.

Do we have control over number of children? Shagufta replies: “Though the children are given by Allah, but it is in our hands also.”

How it is in your hands? Is there any method? “Nasbandi is wrong, but a woman can have it. There are other things, we use them.” Shagufta informs.

Now, her health is not so well, so she does not like sex, but she cares for the desire of her husband.

Sumaira does not like more Children

Sumaira is 27 year old. She was married at 18 and had two children within four years. The husband is regularly ill; her health is also deteriorating steadily. She feels tiredness and does not have food full of stomach.

Now, she likes no more children. She says: “How would I bring them up, it is difficult to look after those are already born.” Why? “Small family is in one’s hands, small family is peaceful.” She says that children are gift from Allah, but it is we who serve as resources.

Sumaira aspires: “Had I opted for operation it would have been better.”

Why does she not resort to any other method? In fact, Sumaira is neither aware of any contraceptive method nor anyone came to her area to tell about. 

She Likes to Adopt Birth Control

The condition of women is well understood by those working among women. Naish Hasan is associated with the movement and works in Lucknow. She says about Muslim women: “Women are trapped in the name of religion. They are tied with several traditions and other things. I know many women opting for birth control secretly or wishing to have it. It is one’s private affair. It is up to the husband and wife to decide when and how many children they want to have. There is no wrong in resorting to any contraceptive method.”

Women Want to Get out of the Trap

Likewise, Shakila who works with ‘Aghaz-e-Insaf’ in another village says: “Muslim women want to have less children. This eagerness is quite visible. They wish to put a stop to quick and successive conception and the children are born at considerable gap, but they do not the right decide all these things, whereas the couple should have the right to make decision. Birth control is adopted in many Muslim countries.”

Women and Film

Pakistan is an Islamic country. The Islamic principles are the source of its rules and regulations. Religion many a times interferes in one’s personal life. However, reproductive health is a major issue there. Film is strong medium to convey a message. In Pakistan also, so many films were made, but it is proper to mention two of them; one is ‘Aahat’ second is ‘Aik Hi Rasta’. Aahat has been a popular drama of Pakistani television. The central theme of both the films is reproductive health of woman, her life and true mirror of the woman made as child-bearing machine. Not only this, but also how the health of woman causes difficulty for the entire family, it can be seen in the TV drama and films. These two are reflecting the life of Muslim women. How?

It is in one’s Hand to Change Boon to Bane

The film ‘Aik Hi Rasta’ was prepared by Shirin Pasha for The Film Makers Pvt. Ltd. It represents the feeling of man. The film touches the issues like reproductive health, birth control, family development under the Islamic Nizam (system) in Pakistan. But, from nowhere it looks like advertisement. The film evolves around the thinking of man in spite of being woman-centric.

‘Satputri Maan’ has a son Noor. Once it used to be a family of much land. The family kept on increasing, the land kept on being distributed and the family went on scattering. Now, small land is not enough for a family, so the family members turned to the cities, whereas Noor Muhammad remains with his mother in village.

Noor marries a very thin girl Sakina who is about 15-16. The husband and wife start the life and work hard. Meanwhile, within six years of their marriage, Sakina has four children. She starts falling ill and keeps on withering. People think that she has been victim of evil eye.

“As there should be some distance between two plants, rather as for a good crop sometime the land is left empty, the same rule is applied to women as well.” Noor is not convinced by this argument of Zainab aunty.

Sakina, the life partner of Noor, is unable to express her grief. She passes away at the time of delivering the seventh baby. The seventh daughter is adopted by her paternal uncle.

Noor feels it in his old age. He says: “I started feeling she is not having equal share of life with me. With the change in the viewpoint of modern age, not only the already departing pleasures can be regained but the society can be turned prosperous.”

Ultimately, Noor feels regretful: “Sakina asked me some period of time for herself and for her children, but I could not give it to her.”

There is magic of language in the film. The environment also has been given due importance, it did not look like artificial. Instead of being Pakistani film, it reflects the Indian environment. The regret of Noor in the film is in fact the regret of male society what responsibility they have towards the health of women.

A dialogue of the film is weightier than all the arguments given against reproductive health. “It is in man’s hand to change a boon to bane, Allah has given us thinking power, we have to decide what to do.”

 
Let us Listen to the Men as well

Parvez is about 50 year old. He learnt up to high school and now he is doing tailoring. He was married at 18 and had so many children. He is shy of telling: 7 daughters, 1 son.

Was there any plan for children? “No plan at all, just they kept on coming up. We had all daughters while waiting for the son. What to do, the boy came later, then we had an operation.”

Yours? “No, the wife’s.”

We heard it is forbidden in Islam? “Yes, it is, but I did not have the operation, only the wife got it, however happened what happened, but nothing takes place without the wish of Allah, it was his wish so it did take place.”

Did you use any other thing? “Yes I did, but to no avail.”

However, how many children one should have? “See, 2-3 are enough, we were stuck waiting a boy and have all daughters. The expense also multiplied, they are to be married away, there is only trouble ahead. It was wrong that we married at early age and secondly we had so many children.”

Why were you eager of boy? It is said boy and girl are same. “How a girl can be equal to boy, if you want you can say anything, but a boy is boy.”

Did you ever used force? “Force… no. But, whenever I demanded, so whether she is well or not, I got my demand fulfilled. We did not fight ever for this matter.”

This is the life of some women, but in this light we can have a look at the condition of Muslim women. Only by proclaiming reproductive health and right, neither it is achieved nor are the women let to achieve it.
 
The Religion is for People’s Relief

The Quran is the most important source of Islamic sciences. The words of the Quran are the foundation of Islam. After interviewing the scholars of Al-Azhar , it is clear that Islam does not want to create trouble for its followers. It is one of the principles of Islam. Some of the Quranic verses bear witness to it:

• ”Allah intends (to provide) ease for you and does not intend (to create) hardship for you.” (Surah Baqrah 2:185)
• ”And did not impose any hardship on you in the religion.” (Surah Hajj 22:78)
• ”Allah intends to make things easy on you. And man has been created weak.” (Surah Nisa 4:28)
• ”Allah does not obligate anyone beyond his capacity.” (Surah Baqrah 2:286)

Likewise, there are traditions:

• Do not get harm to yourselves and do not get others in trouble. (Narrated by Malik 2:745 and Ibn Majah 2:784)
• ”Religion is very easy and whoever overburdened himself in his religion he failed to be able to continue in that way. So you should be on the right path, as you are in the morning and night and in the journey of early night.” (Bukhari & Muslim )

Now, the question is if quick and successive conception affects the health of woman, more children cause trouble for family and the children are deprived of proper upbringing and education, then whether family planning is against the Quran and the hadith of the Messenger, peace be upon him? I think: no; since it is clear from the verses of the Quran and these traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that Islam does not want to see its followers to face poverty and trouble.

From the Point of Islamic Traditions

Hadith is the most important and oldest source of Islamic tradition. There are many examples of ‘azl’ (coitus interruptus) mentioned in hadith. ‘Mishkwat Sharif’ is collection of important traditions on different topics. In this book, under the chapter of intercourse , such kinds of traditions are mentioned. The Arab society knew one method to avoid conception which they called: ‘azl’ i.e. withdrawing penis during intercourse with woman at the time of ejaculation  i.e. the method of intercourse in which a man avoids letting his sperm in the vagina of wife. The Prophet (peace be upon him) knew it but he did not stop from it. Neither the Quran indicates against it by any of its verse. In the traditions of Sahaba, the companions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), azl finds mentioning:

It is narrated from Hadhrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him): “We used to do azl (coitus interruptus) at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him).” (Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmizi)

Hadhrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: “We used to do azl while the Quran was being revealed.” (Bukhari, Muslim)

The narration of Sahih Muslim adds: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) knew about us doing azl, but he did not stop it.”

Likewise, there is another hadith narrated by Hadhrat Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) in which he went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) to ask whether azl is allowed so that conception can be avoided, the Prophet replied: “You can do so if you wish.”

Hadhrat Abu Sayeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) also narrates about azl. According to hadith, a man came and asked about avoiding conception, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) replied: “If you wish, you can do.” (Ibn Hanbal, Muslim)

These traditions nowhere prove that the Prophet (peace be upon him) in his time prohibited the practice of azl. There are other traditions which prove that at the time of the Prophet this method was used for contraception.

Some arguers put azl also in the category of murder. In this regard, a hadith is very important. Hadhrat Abu Sayeed Khudri narrates: “A Jew asked me that azl is a kind of burying alive though at very small level. I came to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and told him what the Jew said. The Prophet said twice: lied the Jew, lied the Jew.”

Dr Rafat Usman , the Professor of Al-Azhar, Egypt states about family planning that there is nothing in the Quran which suggests prohibition of preventing conception. It is proved from hadith that the sahaba used to practice coitus interruptus at the time of the Prophet while the Quran was revealed. It was their method of birth control.

Dr Abdel Rahim Omran claims that after intense research and exploration of Ulama, there is no verse found in the Quran which prevents the husband and wife to keep gap between pregnancies or limit the number of children as per their physical, economic and cultural ability. Shortly, there is nothing in the Quran which rejects the azl or coitus interruptus prevalent at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

The Indian scholar, Allama Shah Zaid Abul Hasan Farooqi, Sajjadah Nashin (Successor) of Khanqah Shah Abul Khair Delhi, says: “Every contraceptive method is called ‘azl’ in Arabic, this i.e. azl can be adopted either by man or by woman.”

Argument of Imam Ghazali

Abu Hamid Muhammad bin Muhammad Al-Ghazali is known around the world with ‘Al-Ghazali’. He was genius Islamic scholar and philosopher, his masterpiece book is: ‘Ihyau Uloomiddin’ (The Revival of the Religious Sciences). This book is considered an important resource of Islamic studies. A chapter of the book is: Kitabu Adabin Nikah i.e. the etiquettes of marriage. Along with many other things Imam Ghazali discusses azl also.

Imam Ghazali says that according to him azl is lawful. He explains in detail that azl is neither murder nor abortion, as some people argue against it.

Imam Ghazali divided azl to five categories, he advocates two of them very strongly. One of them is very powerful argument in the favour of the women.

In his view, azl is allowed in order “to keep the beauty of woman persistent”. Why? Since, according to Ghazali, “childbirth is troublesome process, which sometimes endangers the life of woman; she loses her health, her beauty and charming.” Azl will prevent successive conception and retain her health.

Ghazali says: “So many children cause various problems; one has to do more hard work to earn. Sometimes, the lawful sources are not enough, so one is forced to adopt the unlawful ways.” Azl can be adopted to prevent numerous children. It is not wrong in the eye of Imam Ghazali. Why? Since less troubles are helpful in religious matters and one finds more time to worship Allah.

It is not wrong to state that at the time Islam arose in Arabia, the Arab knew only one method to avoid pregnancy i.e. azl. They might not know other methods. Now, so many contraceptive methods have been discovered. The today’s contraceptive methods to retain the health of woman, avoid quick conception, keep the family under control or small, are extension of azl somehow or the other. If we agree with Allama Shah Zaid, then all these methods are lawful on the basis of azl.

 
Will the Voice of Woman be Heard

If man does not understand the problem of woman, she is ill or she fears that conception may threaten her life or her troubles may increase or the family may undergo difficulties, then according to retired professor of Al-Azhar University and Islamic scholar Dr Rafat Usman: “The woman can use contraceptives as per her own experience. She does not require the opinion of physician as well. She can adopt any method to escape conception. This is because the Messenger of Allah, Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised repeatedly to avoid undergoing any harm. If physician also suggests that conception may inflict any harm to her, then the husband is strictly prohibited to stop his wife to resort to any method. It is haram for him to stop. In both the cases, a woman can decide herself, and once physician also agree to it then it is haram for him to stop her.”

Likewise, late Dr Abdel Rahim Omran, former Chief Population Adviser of Al-Azhar University, expresses his opinion saying: “If there is tension or dispute between husband and wife, then the concept of mutual harmony and approval creates difficulty, especially when the woman is concerned inferior to man. According to Hanbali Fiqh, in special cases (as for the welfare of family), the wife can overlook the opinion of husband. Similarly, if one more child may have bad effect on her health and life or the status of family is not too good to nurture the children well, so in such cases the woman has right to use contraceptives without husband’s permission.”

Another scholar and expert of Islamic Jurisprudence in Al-Azhar, Dr Hamid Abu Talib says: “In sexual relations, the wife also has the same rights as men. She also owns the right to decide when to make the relation. The marital agreement of Muslims allows sexual relation and enjoyment between wife and husband, this enjoyment is for both the spouses, not only for husband.”

Maulana Umar Ahmad Usmani is an Islamic scholar of Pakistan. He has been also associated with Darul Uloom Deoband. His Tafseer (commentary) of the Quran ‘Fiqhul Quran’ is very famous. Maulana Usmani writes at a place: “If someone’s wife is sick or the family life is unwell, then this precaution can be opted for, rather it should be adopted so that there is proper gap between children and the life of wife and previous children is not endangered and there is no disturbance in their education, nurturing, health etc.”

 
Fatwas of Jamia Al-Azhar, Cairo (Egypt)

Jami’ Al-Azhar Al-Sharif issued various fatwas about keeping the family in control. An important fatwa was released by Al-Azhar 70 years before:

(1) A person has one child. He fears if more children will be born he will not be able to nurture them, he also fears that quick and repeated conception will affect his wife’s health. He wants to know whether he and his wife can adopt any method prescribed by physician to keep gap between children so that they can lighten their burden. (Question put forward on 25 January 1937)

The then Mufti of Egypt, Shaikh Abdul Muqeet Saleem replied the question, he said: “We went through the question and we believe that according to Hanafi teaching (Fiqhi school of Imam Abu Hanifah), as per the conditions mentioned in the question, there is no wrong in adopting birth control.

(2) A married man has a child. He fears that more children will cause him trouble and he will face difficulty in bringing them up. Can the husband and wife adopt any method of birth control to retain the health of mother and to avoid more economic burden on father? (This question was received by the Fatwa Committee of Al-Azhar on 10 March 1953)

Answer: We went through the question and we believe that according to Shafe’i Fiqh (Fiqhi School of Imam Shafe’i), birth control is not prohibited. Therefore, if it aims at protecting people from unnecessary economic difficulties and health-related problems, then the committee allows it (birth control). Allah says: “Allah intends (to provide) ease for you and does not intend (to create) hardship for you.”  (Surah Baqrah 2:185) But, it is prohibited to adopt permanent method of contraception.

The present chief imam, Shaikhul Azhar Professor Muhammad Syed Tantawi also issued several fatwas from his office about birth control. 

(3) One couple lives in a 2-room set flat with one child. They have an income of 100 LE per month in 1998. They wan to prevent conception for some time so that they can have proper gap for upbringing the child. They have firm belief in Allah as Almighty and Omnipresent. Can they do so? i.e. can they prevent conception?

Tantawi says: I replied that so long as they aim at upbringing the child, they can do so definitely.

(4) A couple lives with its daughter and son in 3-room set flat. They had an income of 200 LE per month in 1998. This much suffices hardly for two time bread. They want to avoid future conception so that they can lead their private life separately in their rooms. They wanted to know whether they can do so.

Professor Tantawi replied: There is nothing wrong and against Shariah; since they want to bring up their children well, as the Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:

“Teach you children to offer salah when they are seven years old, while at 10 beat them if they do not offer salah and arrange separate bed for them.”

(5) A couple lives with its three children. They neither have any kind of economic problem nor any health related matter. But, they wish to prevent conception for some time. This decision has nothing to do with their personal life; rather they want to do so in view of the need of the country. They feel that the country at this time needs family planning. Is it allowed?

Tantawi states: I believe that their sentiment towards the country is appreciable, it should be admired. Your interest in the development of the community is in harmony with the teachings of the Prophet, as the hadith says:

“One who is not worried about Muslims’ well being, he is not one from amongst us.”

If you think so, then there is no wrong in preventing conception as long as you wish; since you have good intention.

 
Concept of Family Planning and Contribution of Indian Ulama

It is common thinking that the Indian Ulama cannot even think of matters like family planning. The opponents say that the concept of birth control has intruded from outside or Western countries. It is a conspiracy against Muslims. It is being hatched to control the population of Muslims. In this opposition, there is no mentioning of the lives of Muslim women and their health.

But, deliberate fro a moment. The Indian Ulama have contributed a lot to Islamic studies, they have carried it forward. Many of Indian institutes are known around the world. It accommodates several centres and characters of religious thoughts.

Then, this question may rise in anyone’s mind whether the Indian Ulama and intellectuals have not expressed their views about issues like health of women, family planning, upbringing children, difficulties of changing scenario or birth control? Did they not regard it a subject of their research?

After extensive research, sufficient information comes out. These information are not so common, as most of the works have been made in Urdu; therefore their access is limited to a particular circle. This author is not a scholar of Islam, but surely he is student pursuing the knowledge of Islam. Being a journalist by profession; it is a part of his profession to do research. He tried to make the opinions and information of the scholars as base of his study who have discussed this topic.

If we keep our mind open and do not look for the ’smell’ of conspiracy, then we might see the thing which not only can change the picture of Muslims but also that of other classes of the society.

In this study, we will mention only the things which are related to Indian Ulama. It is surprising that as much the treasure of knowledge the Indian Ulama possess by centuries, it is with no one in the Islamic World. In spite of it, when the health of woman, reproductive health, birth control or family planning is discussed, the opinion of Islamic scholars is seen nearly equal to nothing. Whereas in fact, there is a long row of sensitive Islamic scholars who believed that thinking about one’s family is in complete accordance with the spirit of Islam. It is probable rather true that the terms we use today were not necessarily used those days as well. Many things come up with new name and new form with changing time and they have ruling according to today’s values. In next lines, we shall mention some Indians who have contributed a lot to this matter. Their views are necessary to be presented.

 (One)

Fatawa Alamgiri: Permission of Azl and Abortion

‘Fatawa Alamgiri’ is known in many countries as ‘Fatawa Hindiyah’. This collection of Islamic law was compiled by nearly five hundred Ulama on the order of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb (who is also called ‘Alamgir’). It has 30 sections. It is considered an important source of Hanafi Fiqh.  In the fatwas of Fiqhi school of Imam Abu Hanifah, azl (coitus interruptus or any method of avoiding conception) and abortion were permitted in clear words.

According to it: “If the condition of time is not good and the children are feared to be deprived of proper education and upbringing and to deviate from religion, then azl is allowable.” Generally, abortion is said to be prohibited in Islam, but the fatwa says: “If the body parts of foetus are not yet created, it is allowed to abort it.” Those who issued fatwa they even said: “It is allowable in our age in any case.” These Ulama are of the view that “in general conditions, for azl it is necessary to have the permission of wife”.

There is another condition in which these two things are allowed. If a woman is conceived who already has a child to suckle, also she has no enough resources to keep a wet nurse and she fears the life of the child, then she can opt for abortion, provided it is within 120 days of conception.

It is surprising that in spite of so much clarity, this issue has been a cause of dispute till today. i.e. if the condition of the time is so that proper upbringing and education of children is impossible or difficult, then azl is permissible. Azl is mentioned here as a method to prevent conception, thus it can be said that other similar methods which prevent conception are lawful. (See the complete fatwa at the end)

(Two)

Shah Abdul Aziz Dehlwai

In the Persian Tafseer of Shah Abdul Aziz, written in nineteenth century, there is a fatwa which says: In the light of reliable and well-known traditions of the Prophet (peace be upon him), azl is lawful. Using medicines for preventing conception whether before or after azl is lawful and permissible like azl. Imam Shafe’i says in the commentary of the verse of the Quran (4:3-4) that in this verse single marriage has been advised; since it is better method to avoid many children. 

 
(Three)

Iqbal and Concept of Population Hundred Year Ago

Shaikh Muhammad Iqbal  (9 November 1877 – 21 April 1938) was not only poet but also he was renowned scholar of Islamic philosophy. It seems a bit surprising that Iqbal also talked of putting a stop to increasing population, whereas there is vast difference between his and present time. The concept of looking at the population has also changed. But the matter related to population discussed by Iqbal has its importance even today. He wrote a book on economics hundred years ago in 1904 in Urdu named: ‘Ilmul Iqtisad’. Its price was one rupee. Iqbal was then an Assistant Professor in Government College, Lahore.

In this book, he discusses population in detail. His writing is highly influenced by the population theory of Malthus. Out of five sections of the book, three chapters of one section are related to population. In these chapters, he mentions economic resources, scopes of employment and scarcity of land for inhabitation due to increasing population. Also, he discusses its effect on family and upbringing of children.

At a place, he writes: “Any theory or religion which cannot march with the pace of human social system and its mental development will vanish due to not fulfilling the modern needs of mankind.”

He believes: “Increasing population beyond proper limit causes poverty and other adverse effects.” He explains the principle of Malthus in detail and tries to make understand the ways of increasing population and its effects in diagram. He writes: “A country where population is increasing unrestrained, the inhabitants should show some wisdom and adopt the ways which check the increasing population. The reproductive skill of mankind is naturally so made up that if its functionality is not prevented deliberately or by chance, it may lead mankind to disaster and destruction.”

Today, one may be quite right to argue the view of Iqbal on the effects of population. Many things have changed completely today. The new research advocates looking at this issue with new prospect. However, in this discussion, it is necessary to note what was the thinking one hundred year ago about population. But, it is at least clear that Iqbal supports adopting methods to control population. He appreciates these methods and says if there had not been these methods the population would have greatly increased, the people will run shortage of economic resources, poverty will increase more, the resources of livelihood will lessen, epidemic will burst out, crimes will multiply … etc. 

Therefore, according to Iqbal: “The only way to get out of the jaw of this black monster is to control the population, so that the current economic resources can be protected.” He states that the land is also not so enough that people can reap the advantage of increasing population. “Therefore, it is our duty to adopt the methods to restrain the population which are in our control.” Iqbal discusses his view in detail about controlling the population. The hundred year old concept of Iqbal can thus be understood in his words. He advocated controlling child marriage and polygamy. When Iqbal is of the view then it cannot be rejected as mere propaganda and conspiracy. In his words: “In our country, economic and livelihood resources are less and the population is increasing day by day. The nature cures it with famines and epidemics. But, we should free ourselves from the constitutional bond of childhood marriages and polygamy, spend our small asset more wisely, increase the wage rate of our country by paying attention to handicrafts and production and worry ourselves with farsightedness about the consequence of our people so that our country is protected against the awful consequences and reach the height of civilization and culture to which real welfare is attached. Therefore, economically it is the welfare of mankind to avoid fulfilling the animalistic lust as much as possible and bear lesser number of children as much as possible. This objective can be achieved by late marriages or in other words by lessening the birth rate and controlling the carnal desires generally.”

Though, we oppose using any force, but Iqbal is of the view that stern steps also should be taken if it is the question of economic progress of the country.

In the preface of the book published in 2004 in Pakistan, Dr Saleem Akhtar writes: In Ilmul Iqtisad what seems amazing is the faith of Iqbal on family planning and his firm belief in its advantages.

On the contrary, Professor Dr Rasheed Ahmad Jalandhari  in his article refers to the book published in 1977 by Iqbal Academy saying that Iqbal had a look on the subject with Islamic viewpoint.

According to Professor Jalandhari, Iqbal writes: “The Islamic Shariah did not overlook to give advice in the social matters. The ruling was left to any knowledgeable scholar to decide the matter as per the need of the time and conditions. Therefore, if one does not aim at fulfilling lust only, there is need in fact and the couple approve it, then as far as my knowledge goes, birth control is not objectionable in Shariah. According to Shariah principles, it is known that a husband cannot force her wife against her will to reproduce children. But, whatever presently happens in the world mostly depends on fulfilling lust, and doing so for lust, according to me, is reaching to an extent of haram. Whatever I have expressed from Islamic aspect, it is not as per a Shariah expert, but it is based only on my knowledge and understanding.

As a whole, it can be said that the theme of Iqbal’s view is that if reason is applied with farsightedness, such methods can be applied which prevent conception. Had Iqbal felt that it was Western propaganda and conspiracy, he must have opposed it. Not only this, but as far as we know, Iqbal had no major change in his views later also.

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

Imamul Hind Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was one of the founders of modern India. He was known as Islamic scholar. His opinion about family planning (as it was those days known with the term) was: “There seems no reason for Shariah to interfere in the matter of birth control. It is completely a medical and social matter. If reasonable people think that it is necessary to be adopted by the society, they can do so.  There is hardly any aalim having such a clear-cut view, free from doubt and complication.

Dr Zakir Hussain

Zakir Hussain was also a great scholar. As educationist and president of India, he did not hesitate to express his view on birth control. As we know, he wrote a booklet on family planning in 1969 in Urdu. He was of the opinion that any religion including Islam does not interfere in how many children one should have.

 
Allama Kakorwi from Lucknow

There is a scholar from Lucknow who worked on family planning. It is Allama Mustafa Hasan Alwi Kakorwi. He was a graduate of Darul Uloom Deoband. He did his honours in Persian and was an MA and PhD. He used to teach in the Arabic Faculty of Lucknow University. He wrote a booklet in 1976 namely ‘Khandani Mansooba Bandi aur Ulama-e-Islam ke Faisali’ (Family Planning and Decisions of Muslim Ulama). That time 75000 copies of the booklet were published. The booklet is known with another title: ‘Islam ka Mauqif and Tahdeed-e-Nasl’ i.e. Stand of Islam on Birth Control. There is no question of Allama Kakorwi being a scholar of Islam; therefore the booklet is very important. Not only this, but this booklet was also published at a time when this matter was much politicized in the country. The booklet is not available now, not even with his friends. Yes, they say that he wrote a book which created havoc at that time.

In the beginning of the book Allama Kakorwi mentioned a hadith which indicates to the direction of his thinking on the matter. The hadith is: “Having less children is prosperity while having more children is a kind of poverty.” Further more, he wrote the verse on the cover:

Toda kamr-e-shakh ko kasrat ne samr ki
dunya mein granbari-e-awlad ghazab hai

(Bearing abundant fruits causes the branch to break down; likewise having more children is cause of trouble in the world)

From both the references, one can have an idea of the concept of Allama Mustafa. In his eyes, more children are a cause of trouble.

He nowhere rejects the religious concept, as he says: “Increasing offspring and having more or less children is our religious and natural right, but to an extent which is in accordance with our personal, family and country’s resources, then it will be counted among the fundamental needs of the religion.” (Bolded by the author) But, he is not in favour of any ban or legal binding on the matter; since if it is so, then according to him: “the fatwa and ruling about the matter is that it will be indexed as interference in religion.”

Allama Kakorwi goes ahead and clarifies his stand: “But if, due changing time, the economic resources and national issues are so that it is hindering the development, and thus it is banned, then according to the explanation of Ulama, the fatwa is that it is neither interference in the matter of religion nor it is right to oppose it; since it is the requirement of time and in the favour of the country.

In this booklet of 36 pages, he refers to the Quran, Hadith and the opinions of Ulama as references. It is common thinking that a madrasa-educated person is traditionalist and conservative. But, it is surprising that Allama Kakorwi, who graduated at Deoband, is more visionary in his thinking than many modern educated people.

If you are not sure, you should see these views: “As far as I know, I can say that the concept of Islam about more or less children is quite open without any restriction. But, if more children cause trouble for the family or disturb the social and national system, then imposing ban is not against the Shariah as per the explanations of Ulama. The increasing number of family members is a boon only when they are well qualified and skilled, and they can be qualified only when they are properly nurtured and educated as per the need of the time. And, it depends on the economic condition of the parents, the resources of income and expenses are well; otherwise the same children will be a cause of trouble and difficulty, and mostly it happens so.” He adds: “But, if our life system feels that more children will be useful for the family or community in future days, it is necessary to pay attention to it  i.e. the teachings of Islam will walk parallel with the pace of time and will not put hurdles in its way.

 
Interview with Maulana Kalb Sadiq

Islam also Allows Birth Control

Maulana Kalb Sadiq is known as Muslim scholar not only in India, but in the entire world. He openly follows the women’s rights in Islam and supports birth control. Due to these thought he hits the headlines. He has a complaint about media that they most of the time draft a news without understanding his views fully. As he talks of ‘birth control’ and media publish it calling ‘family planning’. He makes a difference between the two. He regards birth control a need of the society. Maulana Sadiq, Vice-President of All India Muslim Personal Law Board, says in which people (Ummah) the Prophet will take pride, which is ignorant and backward? He states that Islam forbids abortion, but using methods preventing conception is not forbidden. He further supports his views that there are fatwas which confirm that using methods of birth control is no where prohibited in Islam. But, he does not like the government to compel and use any force to used methods of limiting the family. He goes to such an extent that without advancing in the field of modern education Muslims cannot progress.

Important extracts from his interview:

Q. Why you use ‘birth control’ instead of ‘family planning’?

Since, the concept of family planning was not present in the era of the Prophet (peace be upon him), but birth control was there.

Q. Is there a place for birth control in Islam?

Among Muslims, there are two major sects; Shia and Sunni. All the Shia mujtahids (scholar having skill of independent reasoning) in Iran and Iraq allow birth control. The Sunnis have also allowed birth control. The Sahaba (companions of the Prophet, peace be upon him) used to practice azl which is the oldest method of birth control. They say that they used to visit their wives in the nights of holy Ramadhan and used to do azl. Had it been wrong, the Quran would have rejected it. The Sahaba asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about the same, so he said: “Let one who does so do it, Allah shall certainly create whom he destined to be created.” The Prophet himself did not prohibit it.

One can see that Fatawa Alamgiri and Fatawa Aziziah also mention the permissibility of birth control. Moreover, there have been international Islamic conferences on the matter in Ankara, Istanbul, Jakarta and Cairo which have unanimously decided that birth control is allowed in Islam.

Q. What type of permission?

It is optional permission. You cannot impose it on anyone. However, there is a little difference among the Ulama about the way of permission, but all of them have allowed azl. On this ground, birth control is also allowed.

Q. Those who oppose birth control say that it is like murdering children due to fear of poverty?

The Quran commands not to kill the children out of fear of poverty. Murder means killing any living being, abortion is not allowed in any religion. But abortion is something and birth control is something else.

Q. … but it is narrated from Hadhrat Ali how the life is created, and abortion is permissible in special cases?

If the life of mother is in danger, then she can opt for abortion also, but abortion is not allowed in the form of birth control. Islam does not allow killing a life, and when a foetus gets life it can be better suggested by a physician.

Q. What methods of birth control can be adopted nowadays?

Condom or pills, which are impermanent solution, can be adopted. In Iran, the Ulama have permitted nasbandi (surgical operation) too.

Q. There is an argument against birth control, given by those who oppose it, that the Messenger (peace be upon him) asked to increase the number so that he can take pride in them on the Day of Judgement?

See, a scholar says that one cannot understand any verse of the Quran fully until one is aware of its background. The same rule applies to Hadith as well. This hadith is related to the time when the number of Muslims was very less in the Arabia. Today, this can be true in regard to Europe and America. But, here in India, whether the Muslims are killed due to birth control or due to lack of it.

Muslim is weak, dying of hunger, falling prey of diseases. Is it better that children keep on coming and dying of hunger and disease or is it better that children are born less.

Q. But, it is said that Allah provides livelihood to every born child?

He has taken responsibility of every thing. He has taken the responsibility of curing a disease as well, then do not go to hospital for treatment. Livelihood does not mean that you should sit quietly, if it is so then leave the newborn alone. Livelihood

Self-esteem is all about how much people value themselves, the pride they feel in themselves, and how worthwhile they feel. Self-esteem is important because feeling good about yourself can affect how you act. A person who has high self-esteem will make friends easily, is more in control of his or her behavior, and will enjoy life more. Body image is how a person feels about his or her own physical appearance. For people in their early teens, body image can be closely linked to self-esteem. That’s because as children develop into teens, they care more about how others see them. It is needless to mention that a person takes to short-cuts and quick repair methods, in order to fit into the society’s definition of “ a smart looking teen”. Most of this involves a drastic change in their diet patterns, which lacks in all the essential nutrients and thus takes a toll on their overall health and well-being. Once the purpose of their action is defeated, the teens lose hope in everything that is advised to them! Here comes the role of the parents, in building the concept of good health and well being in children. Parents are advised to encourage children to read interesting articles on teen health and nutrition. The success stories published in such articles not only give plain information, they also play an important role in motivating the teenage children to eat healthy for staying healthy.

Adolescence seems to be synonymous with erratic eating habits as the typical teenager’s life fills up with friends, sports and homework. Yet, adolescence is also a time of rapid growth and development that makes healthy eating habits even more important. Therefore, it is important that teenagers are encouraged to make nutritious food choices. When all their peers eat fast food for lunch, you cannot expect your child to munch on green leaves and raw vegetables! This would be the most unrealistic approach and would only invite resistance. With teenagers, it works best to teach them how to make better choices whether they are eating at home, school or in restaurants.

Improving eating habits among teens is crucially important for two reasons (among others): building strong bones and preventing obesity.

* The foundation for a lifetime of strong bones is built during the teen and young adult years until about age 30. This represents their peak bone mass – the strongest their bones will ever be. Yet, research indicates that teenagers are not getting nearly enough calcium to build strong bones and that can lead to osteoporosis later in life.

* Maintaining normal weight is critically important since obesity often leads to diabetes-type 2, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, conditions once seen most commonly in adults. For adults as well as children, the best way to treat and prevent these problems is a combination of healthy die and exercise. In addition, positive eating patterns adapted during the teen years are very likely to last a lifetime

What’s “Junky” about the Junk Foods?

Many snacks, such as potato chips, fast-food cheeseburgers, and fries, have high levels of fat, sugar or salt–ingredients that should be best limited to a small portion of your diet. Healthy eating doesn’t mean that you can’t have your favorite foods, but the Dietary Guidelines advise you to be selective and limit the total fat, saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium you eat. Our main source of saturated fat comes from animal products and hydrogenated vegetable oils, with tropicaloils–coconut and palm–providing smaller amounts. Only animal fat provides cholesterol. Sodium mostly comes from salt added to foods during processing, home preparation, or at the table.

Fats are our most concentrated source of energy. It is common knowledge now that eating too much fat, especially saturated fat and cholesterol, increases blood cholesterol levels, and therefore increases your risk of heart disease. Too much fat also may lead to overweight and increase your risk of some cancers.

Dietitians recommend that no more than 30 percent of your calories come from fats, and not more than 10 percent of these calories should be from saturated fat. When you eat out, particularly at fast-food restaurants look for broiled or baked rather than fried foods. Try the salad bars more often, but avoid looking at the creamy items and limit the amount of salad dressing you use to keep down the fat and calories. Look for milk-based high-calcium foods with reduced fat.

Why the excitement about fiber?

Whole-grain breads and cereals, dried beans and peas, vegetables, and fruits contain various types of dietary fiber essential for proper bowel function. Eating plenty of these fiber-rich foods may reduce your risk of cancer and heart disease. The benefits from a high-fiber diet may be related to the foods themselves and not to fiber alone. For this reason, it’s best to get fiber from foods rather than from the fiber supplements you can purchase in a store.

Fundamentally, a stage is set for simplifying women’s health toa point of triggering dangerous health consequences for women.

This is not to say that breaking complex subjects into simplerparts is wrong.

In fact it is very important to do this in order to manageinformation overload.However, significant problems can arisewhenever you make things simpler than they are.

This is what I call the “theory-to-practice” dilemma.

For example, the 10-day weight-loss diet might sound great atfirst, but in the end, short-cuts to health will always defeatyour confidence as you end up weighing more than when you firststarted.

If health issues were simple, medical and health professionalswould have broken the code to health long ago. Unfortunately,many media messages continue to promote one-dimensional and oversimplified solutions for women’s sexual and overall healthproblems.

Marketers know the time demands placed on modern women today andoffer up seductive and tempting simple one-step solutions tocomplex problems such as sexual dysfunction.

And so a vicious circle of poor health decisions is created.

The consequences are more than minor.The social, physical andemotional impact of poor health choices impacts everything youdo.Your quality of life depends on good health choices, yetwomen are at greater risk of making poor choices.

Not because they are not informed, but because they aremisinformed.

Consider the following physiological differences between men andwomen:

- Ibuprofen, as a pain reliever, is not as effective in women asin men.

- Men and women display different symptoms of heart attack.Chest pain is most common in men while women’s symptoms aresubtler, often characterized by generalized fatigue, abdominalpain and nausea

- Women with irritable bowel syndrome will respond better thanmen to certain types of treatment (serotonin receptorantagonist).

- Men and women absorb and excrete some drugs in different waysand at different rates. Some drugs are more effective in womenwhile others have more severe side effects in women than in men.

Clearly women are different then men. More importantly, womenare more sexually sophisticated than men!

Now the question is what to do?

Make sure when you research a potential product that the productclaims are based on female-subject research.

You will find that most are not; this is just a fact of science.

When this happens do not completely discard the science, butbecome more active in asking your health care provider questionsabout how the medication or treatment is different for women.

Never assume your doctor will tell you about gender differences!

You should especially be watchful of products sold on theInternet. The biggest problem with most websites is that theytend to make Women’s Sexual Health Issues extremely simpler thanthey really are.

For example, many websites promote or over emphasize thebenefits of a single health product rather than providingcritical; background information on how the product may fit intoyour lifestyle.

The promise to cure a female sexual dysfunction such as vaginaldryness withthe application of a specially formulated cream isoften an oversimplification.

It is seductive to get that quick fix, but treating a symptomoften just shifts problems to other parts of the body. This isnot say that you should not seek products that will relievesymptoms or provide a short term benefit – the caveat is thatone-step interventions are not enough to achieve optimal sexualhealth and overall wellness.

It has been observed that the recent economic growth in the Asian cities indicate that there has been a breakdown of traditional support systems such as the family because of rapid urbanization and modernization. Moreover, a large number of people are living below the poverty line in impoverished environment in urban and rural communities. Their acute needs for housing, food, health, education, and incomes are the very forces that push adolescents to look for a means of livelihood on the streets, engage in prostitution, be hooked up with crime/drug syndicates, or become victims of sexual and physical abuse. It is a battle of bare struggle for daily survival and contributes in every ways they can. Any measure to penalize parents of such children will only result in further abuse and oppression of people who are already disadvantaged. Such children struggle hard in getting the most essential requirements to meet the basic needs of life and such children need special attention and educational intervention. These disadvantaged adolescents are generally malnourished and often anemic; many of them physically stunted, suffer psychologically from undue family pressures and abuses and are neglected at home. They tend to develop low self-esteem from broken families, single-headed households because of the death, separation, or labor migration of one of their parents. Moreover, they live in slums and squatter communities, sub-human conditions and are susceptible to crime syndicates and gang conflicts, substance/drug abuse, and gambling.

In the developing and under developed countries like India and Thailand a large percentage of population live below the poverty line and adolescents from such environment face difficulties in getting access to good education. It is therefore felt that in both the surround adolescents are of in the process of development and failure to meet their developmental need have lend to safe and serial destructions behaviors. Adolescents lack necessary life skills for cape up in to the realities and challenges of life. Adolescents accords for the largest portion of the world’s population and have been on an increasing trend and there are “230 million Indian adolescent in the age of group of 4 to 19” that (Population and Health IndoShare, 2006). Moreover, it is expected that this age group will continue to grow reaching over “214 million by 2020” (United Nations (UN) 2000) due to has traditionally been a male dominated society and has a strong son preference in most part of but Indian girls tend to be discriminated against by their families and also demographic trends indicate deep-rooted gender discrimination. In India, the condition of disadvantaged adolescents resembled that of their centers pail Thailand. Indian Young adolescents are facings serious problem of lack of access to reliable knowledge on the process of growing up reproductive health practices and value system. There has been a need to provide education on the developmental changes and needs during teenagers. This may reduce the risk of future.

Today, almost every Indian and Thai whether rich or poor, young or old, is exposed to much that is foreign, largely because in the last two decades India and Thailand has become one of the region’s most popular tourists destinations. At times, the growing economy and favorable investment opportunities have also attracted many foreign multinationals, which continue to add to the already fair large expatriate community. However, despite the intensity of their exposure to “foreign” influences, particularly western cultures and lifestyles, Indian and Thai culture remains a solid influence within family life and early childhood. From birth, Indian and Thai adolescents are still much more deeply immersed in culture than they are exposed to foreign influences despite the fast-paced changes that have been affecting Indian and Thai adolescents. The adolescents of deferred families are emotionally disturbed and driven adrift as wanderers, delinquent children with im-permissive behaviors such as loitering, gambling, drug addiction, crime, truancy, prostitution, and begging, illegal dealings. As the consequence of these adverse behaviors, cases of illegal pregnancy, baby abandonment, and HIV/AIDS infection are becoming more and more severe.

There also reported, “Thai Children are spending more time in talking and chatting on the phone and the trendiest models of mobile phones, love hanging out with their friends at night, the drugs problem and the loss of Thai identity and shopping for brand name products. The latest fashion among the hobbies of many of today’s Thai children is they are becoming increasingly violent and blaming society and their own families for their behavior and involve in premature sex, drugs and aggressiveness”. “The study found that despite the well-to-do family backgrounds of the teens surveyed, most of them shared a common problem of loneliness, depressive tendencies and a need for love”. The gap between parents and children is greater than ever before, arising from broken families or from families which faille to inculcate morals in their children because they havenless time for their children and had left them to the peril of sick and violent society in Thailand (Aphaluck Bhatiasevi, Thongbai Thongpao 2002), (Tong Thum Struggles, 2006)

With the best intention and efforts of the education as a social instrument, it is possible to promote the complete welfare of disadvantaged population. Among the several types of disadvantaged adolescents, Adolescents forced to enter the labour market, adolescents affected by HIV/AIDS and adolescents affected by narcotic drugs need special attention. They have trouble in getting proper guidance to overcome personal problems and require proper guidance and counseling to become aware of the ill effects narcotic drugs, labour market and HIV/AIDS. It may not be possible to develop awareness in the expected manner through normal school curriculums. Hence, a separate educational intervention, which is nothing but a planned programme of educational guidance, organized to meet the scientific and psychological needs of disadvantaged adolescents in the age group of 13-16. Hence, in this study, an attempt will be made to study the educational adjustment of disadvantaged adolescents and to find out the impact of a structured educational intervention programme in developing proper awareness and attitude towards reproductive health, drugs, sexuality and values.

The present study examined the impact of an educational intervention programme on the knowledge and attitude on disadvantaged adolescents in Northern India and Thailand. The study intends to assess and compare the knowledge about the process of growing up, HIV/AIDS awareness, values and attitude of teen-age students staying in the schools. Reproductive health education is a key strategy for promoting preventive measures among teenagers.

METHOS

The sample for the study consisted of 225 disadvantaged adolescents who included 125 adolescents from India (Chennai Himmat Slum area, Jammu region) and Thailand (Yong People Develop Chiang Mai and Teresa Anusorn Foundation (Ban Teresa) Chiang Rai, Province). The sample populations of disadvantaged adolescents are residents of orphanages and slum area and studying in high school classes in the age of groups from 13 to 16 years. Data was collected by administering knowledge test consisted of items on process of growing up HIV/AIDS, reproductive organs and their functions family planning and parenting and attitude scale to measure beliefs and practices about sexuality and abstinence. An experimental design consisted of experimental and control group was formed. Questionnaires were translated from English to Hindi and Thai, (mother tongue of the respondent), then back in to English to ensure that no meaning was lost in translation. There were use two groups of learner: both the groups were given Pre-Test as well as Post-Test, where experimental group were given intervention programme and control group was not be given any intervention programme.

Control group: – there were in two states: ten administrators conducted face-to-face interviews and Focus groups with disadvantaged adolescent in India and Thailand.

First state, in India country; 10 Indian administrators were called the Indian disadvantaged adolescents from there house at Slum area (Jammu), meeting for data collected were an adjustment questionnaire in each of person and groups by Hindi (mother tongue of the respondent).

Second state, in Thailand country: 125 questionnaires in Thai (mother tongue of the respondent) were administered to the Thai disadvantaged adolescent of two orphanages, I collected later the questionnaires.

Intervention / Treatment Programme

Experts: Facilitators who were willing to participate in the study were invited for receiving community sensitization, booklet distribution, and CD training;

Experimental group: 200 students (and also inmates) belonging to Channai Himmat, Slum area (Jammu, India), Teresa Anusorn Foundation (Ban Teresa), and Yong People Develop (Thailand) who had got least scores namely, were given one day training programme on intervention or treatment as;

In the morning: the orientation and participants programme concentrated on basic issues such as general framework of adolescent growth, and consisted of discussions and demonstrations. The training programme practiced the activities to develop the knowledge level and the attitude about HIV/AIDS, drug abuse and reproductive health education

In the afternoon until evening: the revised questionnaires were administered to the experimental group in 3 sessions as: (a) the personal details. (b) The knowledge level and attitude were administered to find out themselves and whenever they had doubt in understanding the items, the administrators made them easy by giving supplementary examples. In addition, (c) group discussed for preparation of suggestive measures to improve and policies.

Design of the study

An educational intervention programme consisting of awareness activities presented through media presentation, discussion and interaction was presented to the experimental group. Universals and multivariate analysis of the data were used to assess the impact of interventions and to identify the predictors of change in knowledge and attitude. Significant changes in terms of gain between pre-test and post-test was observed.

Analysis

The completed questionnaires were collated and entered into the computer. The data was entered and analyzed using SPSS. After verification and reduction of data, descriptive frequencies were completed. This was followed by uni-variate and multi-variety procedures to assess the impact of the interventions and to identify other predictors of change in knowledge and attitude. Analysis was stratified by sex shown how responses to the variables of knowledge and attitude, differ boys, girls, age, and education. Descriptive statistics was used to profile the study population. Knowledge and attitude was then used to explore the demographic variables associated with HIV/AIDS, drug abused and reproductive Health Education. The following statistical techniques were applied in the present project: Paired Samples “T”-test and “F”-test.

FINDINGS

The demographic profile of the 250 Indian and Thai respondent questionnaires is shown the relationships between demographic characteristics of Indian and Thai were founds Indian boys (54.40%) less than Thai boys (56%), and Indian girls (45.60%) more than Thai girls (44%). In the same age group of Indian and Thai 15 years old, and the same of the secondary school of Indian: (Standard: 9) and Thai: (Grades 3), had significant .05 is shown in Table 1.

Answers were grouped in comparing scores from Indian and Thai disadvantage adolescent after received a treatment on knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS, drug abuse and reproductive health education, all participating (N= 200) were group interviewed and after the intervention had significant difference is (0.05), are shown in Table 2-16.

The findings also revealed significant differences between boys and girls in knowledge and attitude towards reproductive health education. Implications of the study for the awareness programmes were suggested.

DISCUSSION

In many Northern states of India and Thailand, the HIV/AIDS, drug abuse and reproductive health needs of Indian and Thai disadvantaged adolescents are either poorly understood or not fully appreciated. Evidence is growing that this neglect can seriously jeopardize the HIV/AIDS, drug abuse and reproductive health education needs and future well-being of them.

The policies addressed the effectiveness of the programmed to highlights what there needs to be done to promote and protect to the disadvantaged adolescent in India and Thailand in the future as: all schools should develop textbooks making learning interesting by following extensive community sensitization in support of adolescent reproductive health education appropriate in Indian and Thai cultural and tradition. Because of Indian and Thai culture and tradition, adolescents kept learning by them long time ago that, made them grow up in the wrong life and have been against morality.

Indian and Thai adolescent problems erupt from families and by themselves after they have been sexually abused or because their families could not understand adolescent behavior and teach them about reproductive health education and sexual health education. Such as should improve in knowledge and attitude among school-going adolescents with the media modern of families. In addition, it was found that sexually abused violated in Indian and Thai adolescents should learn and practice self-protection and should gather knowledge of the Child Rights and much more.

India disadvantaged adolescents

1. Indian disadvantaged adolescents are neglected from home, school and there country of the knowledge. They tend to undeveloped of the confidents and very poorly of the knowledge, attitude about Reproductive Health, drug and HIV/AIDS. Thus as, should to improve and increase and learn the knowledge attitude and understanding of disadvantaged adolescents

2. In India, the responsible organizations both governmental and non-governmental of India have to develop policies for adolescent and should to include HIV/AIDS education and health programme in schools curriculums. In addition, those reproductive health educational services for adolescent girls are especially needed in schools and families.

3. Parents, families, teachers and administrators in orphanages or schools should be encouraged to discuss or give guidance and approval about reproductive health education, drug and HIV/AIDS with their disadvantaged adolescent.

Thailand disadvantaged adolescents

1. Should to improve and increase the knowledge attitude and understanding of disadvantaged adolescents in Northern about reproductive health education and sexual health education.

2. Especially, in Northern, Thailand having spread of higher Drug and HIV/AIDS, thus as should to teach or train to get about the knowledge attitude and understanding of reproductive health to adolescents and parents more then other.

3. The reproductive and sexual health education should be included in the curriculum for the second level – primary education (Grades 4-6), Third level – secondary education (Grades 1-3) and Fourth level – secondary education (Grades 4-6). It is too late to start from Third level – secondary education (Grades 1-3) in Thailand thus; the Ministry of Education has to prepare a new policy to put this subject at the Basic Education Curriculum Standard as soon as possible.

4. It appears that in Thailand media has caused a change in sex related values among adolescents. With the misuse of Internet in getting information on sex related issue supplemented by the use of Cell phone, TV, VCD, DVD and booklets is increasing Crime problems of sexually abused. Thus, the qualities of the textbooks or booklets to be distributed to the adolescents.

TABLE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I thank to Dr. Y. N. Sridhar, Guide of Research for me. I would like too many helpful and thank the following students, Mr. Kasame Sakonllapap, Mr. Santi Jongkongka, Mr. Prasarn Ruansang and people for their supported. I thankfulness to Father Carlo Luzzi, Mother Elisa Cavana, Father Niphot Thiengwiharn and my family, for contributing to this study by providing funding.

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Tobacco use including cigar and cigarette smoking is another cause of health concern among teens. Information on teen health topics says that many teens suffer from smoking related diseases that ultimately lead to premature death. Poor nutrition is another issue that is haunting today’s youth. It has been found most teenagers avoid eating the recommended servings of vegetables and fruits. Healthy eating means reduced risk for various diseases including cancer, stroke, and heart disease. Healthy eating in adolescence and childhood is very important for proper development and growth and can also prevent health issues such as dental caries, iron deficiency anemia and obesity.

Senior health topics mention about the disorders and diseases that are associated with old people. They also mention how seniors can live healthy and active lives. Old people should do things that will allow them to stay active. Eating a well balanced diet, not smoking, getting regular checkups, not smoking and most important practicing safety habits in the house will keep you away from diseases.

Most books that provide information on pediatric health topics tell that asthma and allergy are the common health problems found in children. Many adolescents and children suffer from mental health problems that disrupt their daily life activities and normal development. Some of these problems are mild and last only for short periods. Anxiety disorder is another health problem commonly occurring in children and adolescents Eating disorders that include bulimia and anorexia nervosa are also found among children. Most children who experience these mental health problems return to normal activities after receiving appropriate treatment.

Maternal health topics provide information about health of women during their pregnancy and the problems associated with it. While motherhood is a fulfilling and a positive experience, for many women it is ill health, suffering, and even death. Maternal health topics reveal that obstructed labor, unsafe abortion, high blood pressure, and infection are mainly responsible for causing maternal morbidity.