Guwahati: The National Family Health Survey-6 (2023–24), published on Friday, reveals Assam’s progress in education, digital access and financial empowerment compared to NFHS-5 (2019–21). Schemes like Orunodoi are credited for reducing spousal violence and strengthening women’s dignity at home.Education has moved forward with women’s schooling up by nearly eight percentage points and men’s by over six. Internet use has more than doubled across both genders, showing how digital access is reshaping lives.Child marriage is on the decline, with fewer women marrying before 18 and fewer men before 21.Empowerment indicators are equally encouraging with women’s bank account ownership jumping by 13 points, mobile phone use rising by nearly 10, and hygienic menstrual protection among young women improving by 8.However, not all trends are upward. Women’s participation in household decisions slipped by more than 5 points, and property ownership saw only a marginal rise.The most striking change is in gender-based violence. Spousal violence has halved — 16 points down from NFHS-5.CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said the numbers prove his belief in economic empowerment. “I have said this many times, economic empowerment is one of the strongest tools for social change. Today, NFHS-6 data vindicates that belief. Assam has recorded a 16% decline in spousal violence against married women, with #Orunodoi emerging as a key factor behind this change,” he said.Work participation among women has improved, with a 6.6-point rise in paid employment. Lifestyle indicators show healthier trends as tobacco use fell by nearly 6 points among women and 7 among men, and alcohol consumption dipped slightly across both genders.In short, Assam’s NFHS-6 story is one of rising education, digital access, and financial empowerment, with schemes like Orunodoi playing a significant role in reducing violence and strengthening dignity at home. The challenge ahead lies in ensuring women’s voices in household decisions and expanding property ownership to make empowerment truly lasting.
