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What is reproductive health?
What is reproductive health?
Reproductive health is the state of physical, mental, and social well-being in all matters related to the reproductive system. It means people can have children, and the right to decide if, when, and how often to do so.
Why is Reproductive health important? Reproductive health is important as it supports safe pregnancy and birth, promotes making personal choices, and improves quality of life.
History of women's reproductive health in India
History of women's reproductive health in India
Many years ago, women's roles centered primarily on marriage and childbirth
Folk Medicine was used to manage fertility and childbirth
High mortality rate due to insufficient health care
Eventually, India's population grew so large that they were one of the first countries to launch an international family planning program
Around the 1980s-2000s, access to contraception had improved
Today, Women in India still face the ongoing issues of...
Gender bias regarding decision-making
Limited access to healthcare
social stigma around menstruation, abortion, contraception, etc.
History of women's reproductive health in the U.S.
History of women's reproductive health in the U.S.
Women had very little control when it came to their reproductive health from the 1800 to the 1900s
Birth control was considered taboo
There was a high mortality rate because of unsafe childbirth and abortions, as they were illegal
In 1916, birth control was starting to be promoted by a woman named Margaret Sanger, and soon after, Planned Parenthood was founded.
In 1960, the birth control pill was approved by the FDA
Soon after abortion became legal once Roe v. Wade took place, however, it was overturned in 2022, bringing various concerns to the U.S.
Today, Women in America still face the ongoing issues of...
Unequal access based on Gender and income
Access to abortion depends on residency
Abortion Rights
Abortion Rights
Abortion in India is Legal up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. However, India's abortion laws seem like they give women a choice, but in reality, doctors and courts have the final say. Abortion is allowed for certain reasons, like risk to the mother, fetal health issues, rape, and contraceptive failure. This was originally only for married women. The rules got updated in 2021 and 2022 to include more women, like single women and survivors of marital rape. Even with these changes, women can’t just choose abortion freely. They need a doctor’s approval, which can make access tricky and inconsistent. Because of these restrictions, many women end up getting unsafe abortions, which leads to serious health risks and even deaths.
Maternity Care
Maternity Care
Access to hospitals and maternity care is available. However, at different rates. There are public hospitals which are free to low low-cost. Private hospitals that are paid. Lastly, primary health centers that offer basic maternity care. With all of these different facilities come different levels of effective patient care. Recently, there have been improvements in maternal care. Women are encouraged to have prenatal check-ups and regularly see a doctor. An increase in midwives has taken place as well, and mortality rates after birth have thankfully decreased. The challenges women face are the rural and urban divide. Women in rural areas have a hard time accessing good hospitals. Hospitals are also overcrowded.
Contraception
Contraception
Contraception in India has evolved. Contraception available includes oral pills, condoms, injectables, Copper IUD, and emergency pills. There is also the permanent route known as female and male sterilization. India has one of the highest rates of female sterilization in the world. Challenges women face are the social stigma around contraception, especially for unmarried women. Gender Bias means that women are thought to take control of their birth control. There is also an abundance of untrue information spread regarding contraceptives, which deters people from being safe.
Barriers to Reproductive Health in India
Barriers to Reproductive Health in India
Social and cultural barriers
Lack of sex education
Gender Inequality... Women often can't advocate for themselves
Limited Access to Healthcare
Financial Constraints
Barriers to Reproductive Health in the United States
Barriers to Reproductive Health in the United States
Legal barriers
cost of care even with insurance
Geographic disparities... rural regions have fewer reproductive health clinics
Racial and Social inequalities
After speaking to Treya, who attends school in India, she shared some of her experiences with us. She expressed that many girls drop out of school because of the limited access to restrooms. For girls, this is very important, especially when menstruating. Seeing how this is a deciding factor in getting an education is simply unacceptable. She also brought it to our attention that there is a law stating that marraige is a form of consent meaning there is no rape in marrigage. After doing some research, it is clear this is a large issue. CBS news states " India's government has told the country's Supreme Court that criminalizing marital rape would be "excessively harsh," as it opposes petitions with the court seeking to amend a British colonial-era law that says a man cannot be prosecuted for rape within marriage."(cbsnews.com)
Final Thoughts
Final Thoughts
In the end, women all over the world face challenges regarding reproductive health. When in reality, no one should have trouble staying healthy. From this project, it has been displayed how cruel our world can be. Every Woman deserves sufficient reproductive health care to ensure they are safe regardless of financal status, gender, age, etc.
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