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Gender Inequality in Reproductive Decision Making

By Rubina Karim Samnani

The status of women in Pakistan is not homogenous. The women’s situation in comparison with men is one of systemic subordinate. Home is defined as a woman’s legitimate ideological and physical space, while man dominates the world outside the home. He is bread earner and decision maker of the family. This Gender inequality is also chronic in reproductive decision-making. According to Bankole and Singh (1998) “Men and women in this countries desire fairly large families; however, husbands tend to want more children than their wives and to want the next child sooner” (p. 15). Initially I was biased that women’s are responsible for following their husbands and partners but after reading and searching articles I realized that sometimes they themselves are not aware about their reproductive rights. Ali and Khan in (2007) also believes that “Even though they are aware about those rights, still they are unable to come forward to prevent themselves as either they are too young, weak, ill or they believe the hot-tempered behaviors of men as normal” (p.27). Therefore in this article we will discuss about the gender inequality in reproductive decision making from the point of view of social context, its consequences and strategies to prevent this inequality.

Gender inequality in reproductive decision making is very important from the point of view of the social context of our country as Speizer, Whittle & Carter, in their article Gender Relations and Reproductive Decision Making in Honduras (2005, p.131) also cited that Gender inequality in reproductive decision-making is a key element of the social context of reproductive health (Bankole & Singh, 1998; Becker, 1999; Speizer, 1999). When this discordance occurs in a situation of male authority, men's opinions about these issues may overrule women's. In some cases, husbands fear that if they approve of family planning and allow their wife to use it, they will lose their role as head of the family, their wife may be unfaithful or they may lose face in their community. (Bawah et al, i999; Watkins, Rutenberg &Wilkinson, 1997) Even when men approve of family planning in theory, they may disapprove of their partners' practicing contraception (Blanc, 2001).As a result; women may sacrifice their own wishes to those of their partners (Bankole & Singh, 1998; Becker, 1999; Speizer, 1999). Alternatively, women may practice contraception covertly, potentially exposing themselves to financial vulnerability or emotional or physical violence if discovered (Population Council and Interagency Gender Working Group (IGWG), 2001).

Numerous other perspectives are also linked with gender inequality in reproductive decision making. Because if this matter is not addressed here its consequences will be fatal, from socio economic point of view the economic burden will increase day by day as the numbers of children will increase and this can lead to poverty. In turn poverty will effect on the care of the children, their education and quality of life and ultimately in child labor. From ethical point of view the female autonomy is disturbed through the violation of reproductive rights as her husband is overruling her decisions. Another ethical problem occurring here is this that the female can therefore go against her husband’s decision and can practice family planning secretly by violating another ethical principal of deception and veracity. From reproductive health point of view the women are getting towards the risk of maternal mortality and morbidity because of low nutrition state, poverty and multiple pregnancies. Largely it is very much vital to understand the consequences of inequality in reproductive decision making from different point of view in order to get to the bottom of this problem.

It seems important that how one should act in situations like gender inequality in reproductive decision making. I believe that communication and education are two best strategies to prevent this situation. Communication plays the most important part when you deal with such a sensitive case. First of all one should built rapport and try to explore different factors that may affect equity in reproductive decision making are women who lived in less urban areas, had less than a secondary education or low socioeconomic status had elevated odds believing that men alone should make reproductive decisions and of living in a household in which the man made those decisions (Speizeret al, 2005).Then by keeping these factors in mind empower the woman and give her awareness about their reproductive rights and about the advantages and disadvantages of different contraceptives. Lastly arrange some session for men because for women to talk to her husband in country like Pakistan will be unhelpful. Thus Programs need to target men directly with strategies that encourage them to communicate with their wives about reproductive decisions. according to (Speizer et al, 2005).These strategies could include using community outreach workers in factories or other locations where men congregate in rural areas; mass media campaigns that show group of men discussing the usefulness of having discussed reproductive decisions with their wives; and working in schools to encourage more balanced relationship dynamics between males and females from an early age or refer men to family planning counseling services in order to persuade them in to take joint decision for reproductive health.

Thus for upcoming situations my recommendation are to involve men and woman both while addressing these issues and by keeping in view the cultural and religious perspective offer education to both the partners about the use of family planning methods. Aware them about the different resources of availing these facilities like family planning clinics. And finally we can also teach them about the fatal consequences of their actions. And hope for the positive response in their attitude.

This was all about the social context of gender inequality in reproductive decision making, its consequences and strategies to prevent it. Woman can, of course, control her fertility without her husband's cooperation; yet when men and women are aware of and responsive to each other's health needs, they are more likely to obtain necessary services. Moreover, strengthening communication between partners about reproductive health and involving men in health promotion can lead to better health for the entire family (Nustas, 1999, p. 181).