Abstract

SERVICES OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH FOR WOMEN AND GENDER INEQUALITY

Mrs Jyotsana

Volume: 3 Issue: 4 2013

Abstract:

In India gender inequality limited access to healthcare facilities and economic resources are greatly facilitating the spread of reproductive tract infections and sexually transmitted diseases for populations living under impoverished conditions. While the focus on women’s reproductive health is usually directed towards pregnancy, childbirth and contraception, these issues though important can also divert the attention away from other aspects of women’s health, including the way in which gender influences the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and reproductive tract infections (RTIs). Recent studies have begun to document the association between gender, impoverished environment and the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases.Addressing women’s reproductive health in totality is important for understanding gender issues as they reveal how gender norms affect reproductive health services, differential exposure to risk, access to services and their benefits, to information, and to resources. In this paper, we discuss approaches for developing suitable gender-sensitive strategies in reproductive healthcare including the impact of RTIs and STDs on women’s health, for populations living under impoverished conditions. With the help of primary data and a review of existing literature, we posit that reproductive health services need to address gender biases and obstacles in their healthcare delivery, and recognize that men and women’s needs often differ and find ways to meet those needs differentially. The basic source for empowerment of women in a society is to provide them with access to information, education, and skills. We conclude by suggesting strategies that seek to balance the gender equation and encourage women’s participation in the decision making process.

Back Download

References

• ACTIONAID India (1997) “Strategy for Prevention and Control of STD/HIV/AIDS in India” Draft Report for Internal Discussion within Action Aid India
• Bernstein, S., and C. J. Hansen (2006) “Public Choices, Private Decisions: Sexual and Reproductive Health and the Millennium Development Goals.” UN Millennium Project Report: United Nations Development Program
• Bloom, S.S., A.O. Tsui, M. Plotkin and S. Bassett (2000) “What Husbands in Northern India Know About Reproductive Health: Correlates of Knowledge About Pregnancy and Maternal and Sexual Health” Journal of Biosocial Science 32(2): 237-251.
• Bharat, S. and P. Aggleton (1999) “Facing the Challenge: Household Responses to HIV/AIDS in Mumbai, India” AIDS Care 11(1): 31-44.
• Brown, Peter J. (1997) Understanding and Applying Medical Anthropology. California: Mayfield Publishing Company
• Dixon-Mueller, R., Wasserheit, J. (1991) The Culture of Silence: Reproductive Tract Infections Among Women in the Third World. New York: International Women‟s Health Coalition.
• Farmer, Paul (2001) Infections and Inequalities: The Modern Plagues. Berkeley and Los Angeles, CA: University of California Press.
• Fikree F. Fariyal and Pasha, Omrana (2004) “Role of Gender in Health Disparity: The South Asian Context. British Medical Journal, 328:823-826
• Hawkes, S., and M. Collumbien (2001). “The Sexual Health Of Men In India and Bangladesh: What Are Men‟s Concerns?” In Programming For Male Involvement in Reproductive Health. Report of the WHO Regional Advisers in Reproductive Health.
• Helman, Cecil G. (2000) Culture, Health and Illness. Oxford: Reed Educational Publishing
• Pande, R., Kurz K., Walia, S., MacQuairrie and S. Jain (2006) “ Improving Reproductive Health of Married and Unmarried Youth in India.” ICRW Publication: Washington, DC, USA.
• Rao Gupta, G. (2002) A How Men=s Power Over Women Fuels The HIV Epidemic?@ British Medical Journal, 324:182-183
• Rice, Pranee Liamputtong and Lenore Manderson ed. (1996) Maternity and Reproductive Health in Asian Societies. Netherlands: Harwood Academic Publishers
• Solomon, S., N. Kumarasamy, A.K. Ganesh and R.E. Amalraj (1998) APrevalence and Risk Factors of HIV-1 and HIV-2 Infection in Urban and Rural Areas in Tamil Nadu, India@ International Journal of STDs and AIDS 9(2):98-103.
• United Nations Populations Fund (2002). “HIV Prevention Now.” Available at UNFPA Website http:// www.unfpa.org/aids/index.htm
• World Bank Group (2004). “Gender.” Available at www.worldbank.org
• World Bank Gender Net (2006) “Gender and Rural Development: Concepts and Issues. Available at www.worldbank.org/gender