Towards equal partners' involvement in sexual reproductive health (SRH) : a gender perspective on the sexual reproductive health and rights status of married couples in Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh | |
| Author | Fahmida, Rokeya |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.GD-13-01 |
| Subject(s) | Reproductive rights--Bangladesh--Dhaka Reproductive health--Bangladesh--Dhaka |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Gender and Development Studies, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. GD-13-01 |
| Abstract | This research study was undertaken to understand the sexual and reproductive behavioral patterns of heterosexual couples in Bangladesh. The study examines and discusses sexual reproductive behavior, forced marital sex, contraceptive practices and sexual reproductive health problems among couples in Bangladesh. The study presents findings based on quantitative and qualitative data regarding couples‟ participation in sexual reproductive decision-making, inter-spousal communication patterns, husbands‟ perception of wives‟ sexual reproductive rights, gender division of contraceptive responsibilities, and forced marital sex and its consequences on women‟s health. The research was conducted between December 2007 and June 2008 in Savar Upazila (sub-district) in Dhaka district, Bangladesh. Three Mahallahs (communities), namely Dogormora, Tatti and Majidpur, were selected from the Savar municipality area. The sample size for the household survey was calculated on the basis of household populations in three Mahallahs of the Savar Upazilla (sub-district) of Dhaka district. The survey sample comprised 180 married couples (180 men and 180 women, a total of 360 people). The data collected from field survey by a design questionnaire was analyzed using SPSS, a data mining and statistical analysis software program. The study revealed that men mostly take all decisions regarding sexual matters, and that women have very limited power to take decisions related to sexual matters. As such, many married women/wives in the study area experienced sexual intercourse against their will, based on a combination of threats, intimidation and pressure, and that due to the prevailing patterns of contraceptive use, this has serious consequences for women‟s SRHR. The research also highlighted the fact that by curtailing their own sexual pleasure, women give priority to their husband‟s sexual pleasure. Wives always give priority to their partner‟s opinion, so that husbands‟ negative views on condom use places the burden of contraception on women rather than men.The present research findings point out that, for themost part, husbands in this study are uncooperative, unsympathetic, or unconcerned by women‟s sexual health problems, so that women feel powerless, unsupported andin some cases,guilty when they have sexual health problems. The findings also reflected the existing gender-based values and norms, socialization of men, and expectations of marital relationships that support husbands in continuing their abusive sexual behavior towardstheir wives. The research explored the situation in which communication/discussion of sexual reproductive health-related problems between husband and wife, and women‟s ability to seek or avail themselves of health care, still remain limited and thorny.The present studyfindings emphasize the need to change the existing traditional gender norms, expectations and gender power relations in the sexual domain in order to understand couples‟sexual reproductive behavior within marriage. This study suggests that achieving gender equality in sexual reproductive health is not possible without changing the attitudesof men and theirbehavior, anduntil women are fully aware of their sexual reproductive entitlements. |
| Year | 2013 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. GD-13-01 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Doneys, Philippe; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Resurreccion, Bernadette P. ;Shivakoti, Ganesh P.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | BangladeshPublic Administration Training Centre (BPATC) ;Asian Institute of Technology Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2013 |