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Email this citationCIAO DATE: 02/03
The Role of Muslim Women's Organizations in Family Planning Advocacy in Medan
Hj. Chalidjah Hasan
December 2000
Abstract
This article describes the family planning advocacy of three Muslim women's organizations in Medan, the capital of North Sumatra, a multicultural city where Islam is the religion of the majority of the population. Despite some differences, the three organizations--Aisyiah, Muslimat nahdlatul Ulama, and Muslimat Al-Washliyah--share the same goal: to empower Muslim women in various fields of life and prove that Islam, as a religion, does not hinder women from working and performing many kinds of suitable activities. The three Muslim women's organizations have made considerable contributions to change the community's way of thought and behavior toward family planning programs in Medan
When the government began to promote family planning programs, the majority of Indonesian Muslims opposed them, including Indonesian Muslims in Medan. Opposition was based on religious, political, and cultural grounds. From the religious point of view, family planning was perceived as contrary to Islamic doctrines. Politically, government policy to control population growth was regarded as a Christian missionary program to reduce the Muslim population and "subjugate" Islam. Culturally, in a society that legitimizes men's superiority to women and favors sons rather than daughters, family planning would be unthinkable in a family that did not yet have a son. These perceptions were serious inhibiting factors for family planning.
Although the three Muslim women's organizations contributed to changing perceptions, they did not accept certain concepts of family planning. First, they did not accept the concept of restricting birth, because this was considered against Allah's sovereignty. In this context, the general acceptable principle for birth control was to ensure that reproduction was healthy for the mother and the family's well-being. Second, `Aisyiah, Muslimat NU, and Muslimat Al-Washliyah did not accept vasectomy and tubal ligation. These methods were considered to be against Islamic principles because they interfered with certain parts of the human body created by Allah. Finally, some members of the three organizations objected to the application of contraceptive devices by male doctors. The activities of the three organizations are similar. They hold regular weekly meetings, publish bulletins and magazines, hold training sessions, establish educational institutions (particularly Kindergarten), and organize family planning advocacy and health clinics. Their success comes from the following efforts.
- The hard work of mothers involved in `Aisyiah, Muslimat NU and Muslimat Al-Washliyah. The hard work concept comes from one of the Islamic principles that asks the umat to do their work diligently. In this context, Muslim women of Medan proved that they could apply the Islamic concept through the activities of family planning advocacy although, at the same time, they had the different roles of housewives, mothers and members of the community. They showed that Islam is no barrier to women doing work outside the house, as misunderstood in general by Western people.
- Change is gradual and continuous. Change, particularly in conduct and understanding religious principles, cannot be achieved in a very short time. In this context, as stated by the head of Muslimat NU, the key success of Rasulullah, peace be on him, in social change depends on a gradual and continuous process. This avoids psychological and cultural shocks in the community. Although they needed a very long time to complete their work, the Muslim women involved in the three organizations could demonstrate positive progress in family planning advocacy in Medan.
- The use of Islamic words for socialization and family planning advocacy. This is the key to the progress of `Aisyiah, Muslimat NU and Muslimat Al-Washliyah in Medan. What the three organizations did in this context was to ask the Muslim community to review their understanding of religious doctrines for years. By reviewing them, the three organizations guided the Muslim community to the rational allegorical interpretation of al-Qur'an and Hadits explaining and criticizing the concept of family planning and its application according to Islam. They used the primary sources of Islam, al-Qur'an and Hadits, to explain family planning to the Muslim community in a rational and functional way.
- The village administrative structure supports the progress of the three organizations, so that the influence of their activities is felt at the grass roots level.
- The independence of human resources and funding resources strongly supports the three organizations, so that they do not depend on the government's help. In this way, the three organizations can sustain and apply their activities although the quantity and quality vary.
Although the three organizations have made progress, certain obstacles remain. The leaders of the three organizations and the clinic managers reported the following obstacles and difficulties to family planning advocacy.
- Lack of qualified human resources. The three Muslim women's organizations still lack qualified human resources to promote their family planning programs. Some members, particularly in Muslimat NU and Al-Washliyah, refuse programs under the treatment of male doctors. This is why the clinics under the management of the three organizations worked hard to provide the mothers with female doctors. Nevertheless, there are very few female doctors who are experts in family planning. This is of course the biggest obstacle the three Muslim women organizations face.
- Lack of funds. The three organizations still do not have enough funds to promote their programs. The amount of money they get from the government and foreign countries is not adequate. Indeed, the organizations have not received government funds for family planning advocacy since the beginning of the monetary crisis in Indonesia in 1997 and have to rely on donations from wealthier members of the community.
- Insufficient clinics. The rising number of LSM (Non Government Organizations) and clinics dealing with family planning advocacy helps provide the community with family planning services. In general, private clinics in Medan are managed directly by specialists with complete and advanced techniques. In the future, the advocacy clinics of the three organizations continue to expect that they will have professional and qualified staff with complete and modern techniques sustaining the programs of family planning advocacy.
- Diversity of community knowledge. Differences in community education levels have led to different interpretations of the verses of al-Qur'an and the Prophet's Hadits, particularly as regards family planning. The three organizations have worked long and hard to change incorrect understandings and interpretations in the community. Some members of Muslimat NU and Al-Washliyah continue to refuse family planning because they perceive it to be against Islamic principles and the sovereignty of God. Changing the wrong perception about family planning is a priority for Muslimat NU and Al-Washliyah in the future.
Conclusion
An assumption that women are weak creatures who can do only house work seems irrelevant to the successful family planning activities of the three Muslim women's organizations in Medan. Most Muslim women involved in these organizations expanded their potential for the umat and state development. Their success in changing perceptions and conduct to family planning in the Muslim community can refute the assumption that Islam does not allow Muslim women to have outdoor activities. The three Muslim women's organizations have become a united power to promote significant social change and improve religious understanding toward family planning. In other words, they have become agents of social change and advocacy, consequently family planning is not simply accepted but expected. Moreover their success indicates that they have participated in the local government's development programs to make national development in Indonesia a reality.
