| Author | Soutthanome Keola |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-99-4 |
| Subject(s) | Birth control--Laos--Vientiane
|
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of
Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Abstract | Unmet needs in family planning are a result of failures in the technology of modern
contraception and its unidirectional emphasis on women. Instead of being based in women's
needs for health and quality of life, promotion of modern contraceptives has been part of a
global population control strategy. The demographic emphasis has neglected and overlooked
the needs of people, and especially women in Third World countries.
People who are living under the poverty line represent the majority of the Lao population. The
feminist stand point theory expresses the view that development workers should understand
women's real life and issues to guide policies and programs. Therefore my analysis is based
on women's experience with modern contraceptives as influenced by their economically and
socially marginal location in society.
The main finding of the study is that women perceive themselves as completely responsible
for contraception but are in general not happy with the experience of using the contraceptive
methods. It is a cultural expectation that women accept all side effects, cost and inconvenience
without troubling men. The result is women switching, mixing, and quitting contraceptive
methods without their needs being met. Low income and low education are secondary to the
cultural emphasis that women alone are responsible for reproductive matters.
The control of population growth aims to control women's reproductive organs, and there is an
obvious gender bias in that system. The solution lies in shared reproductive responsibility
between women and men. Initiatives within the family are the basic way to improve overall
gender relations by rethinking cultural living patterns. More contraceptive options for men will
remove some burden from women. Gender consciousness and shared responsibility will
reduce population growth. However, it takes time. Therefore there is a need for improvement
in family planning services to include education on reproductive cycle for men and women as
well as concept of men and women as partners in reproduction. |
| Year | 1999 |
| Type | Thesis |
| 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) | Earth, Barbara; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Morishita, Hideharu ;Hawkey, Roger ;Savage, William |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) ; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 |