39% Muslim women take on earning roles: Survey

Hyderabad: A randomized survey done by a city-based NGO taking the Telangana govt caste census into account, has revealed that 39% Muslim women work to make a living for the households. In households where male earning member is indisposed or jobless the women work participation is nearly 90%, the survey revealed. Another changing scenario as per the survey is that 45% of the women questioned in a sample of 3,000 said they are now getting encouragement to work but mostly prefer working from home. The survey conducted by Helping Hand Foundation (HHF) as part of the Ramzan assessment of the principal minority community in Telangana, also revealed that majority of the men in the bottom end of the pyramid are auto-drivers, semi-skilled workers like plumbers, and electricians, informal labour in hotels and function halls and as street hawkers. There is negligible participation in construction work, it said adding that the participation as gig workers is showing an upward trend within the community members."Poor Muslims in Telangana particularly in Hyderabad need development more than welfare in reducing the burden of high health and education expenses that will bring stability and savings," said Mujtaba Hasan Askari, HHF managing trustee.He said Muslim population as per the recent caste census of Telangana gov has been capped at about 45 lakh. In the urban settlements of Hyderabad, Muslims roughly constitute about 30% to 35% of city's population. The survey focussed on the bottom 70% of the Muslim population, earning less than 15,000 per month. "Single bread-earners and multiple dependents, negligible dual income households, particularly both husband and wife working models, low levels of migration to other metros for better living are some of the key features of many households. Many Muslim households are moderate on govt entitlements like ration cards, and other govt welfare schemes," the survey report stated. Literacy levels in both men and women in this segment is low. A family in urban settlement spends 800 at an average per month per child for education. With poor health, particularly non-communicable diseases like diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, chronic kidney disease and cancer taking a huge toll on every one in three households, the health care costs are going up significantly. An average family spends 2,000 to 8,000 per month on health care needs.