By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The sudden rise of the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in the State which stands at 3.8 TFR recorded as the highest in North East is attributed to ‘teenage pregnancies’ which is common in matrilineal Meghalaya, experts claim.
Reports have shown that over one-third of the total population comprises adolescents and prevalence of adolescent pregnancy is increasing with the early onset of sexual activity in both genders.
“The increase in the TFR in the State is a long-term impact of teenage pregnancy which also paves the way for the increase in morbidity and mortality rate for both the mother and her baby,” Medical Lecturer cum Demonstrator of the Regional Health and Family Welfare Training Centre Dr J Lyngwa said.
Dr Jyrwa was addressing a one-day state-level seminar on adverse impact of early marriage on health and livelihoods of women organized by the Women for Integrated Sustainable Empowerment (WISE) at Don Bosco Youth Centre here on Thursday.
Dr Lyngwa pointed out that though teenage pregnancy is mostly prevalent in the rural areas, the matter is no less appalling in the urban areas.
“Easy access to communication and lack of education, easy availability and acceptability of contraceptives has further increased adolescence pregnancy in the State.”
While enunciating the adverse impacts of early marriage on the health of women, Dr Lyngwa said unwanted pregnancy can produce a lot of anxiety and the stigma attached to being pregnant outside marriage may lead to dangerous actions like suicidal attempts, illegal and unsafe abortion, abandonment of babies etc.
“The risk involved in pregnancy and childbirth is very high in teenagers less than 15-16 years of age because they are yet to reach full development and maturity and are likely to become victims of physical, mental and psychological trauma,” the medical lecturer highlighted.
“Studies have shown that the constant usage of emergency contraceptives like i-pills by teenagers is on the rise and this is harmful to the hormonal level,” Dr Lyngwa said while ruing the easy access and availability of such contraceptives in various clinics.
Expressing concern over the degradation of moral values among the young people, Associate Professor of NEHU Dr AK Nongkynrih said “In recent times, we are creating misfits in the society”, adding that parents don’t have time for their children and schools and colleges are busy manufacturing products than humans.
Nongkynrih suggested that the State Government in collaboration with NGOs and other institutions should join hands to address the breakdown of marriages, adding that ‘a stringent Khasi Marriage Act’ is needed to be put into place immediately to help solve this problem to some extent”.
Speaking on the adverse impact of early marriage on the livelihoods of women, Additional Director of Social Welfare LN Jyrwa said “Although there is consensus that adolescent pregnancy and early marriage involves great cost to society and some degree of risk to the young woman’s well being, yet there is a disagreement regarding how this can be managed.”
For young boys and girls, early sex has profound physical, psychological, emotional and intellectual impacts cutting off education and job opportunities, she added.
Earlier, delivering the inaugural address, Chairperson of the Meghalaya State Women Commission, Roshan Warjri, while expressing concern over the issue, called upon the parents to understand this problem equally and attend such seminars to be enlightened about the adverse impacts of early marriage.
Others present at the function included Chairperson of the Meghalaya Social Welfare Board OB Tariang, MDC of Mylliem Teilinia S Thangkhiew, director of Don Bosco Youth Centre Fr J Cilia, local NGOs and students.