Gender Inequity and Reproductive Health Status of Rural Women

Rashid. H.A, BSc in Agrotechnology (Hon's), PGDBA, Training & Media Communication Officer, SAFE (Social Activities For Environment).

Gender inequality is a main hitch in BD. Policy makers seem that female have a minute contribution in social, economic & political arena. Woman's freedom of choice regarding sexual contact, birth control, pregnancy & abortion is secret by the mutual decision-making of husband & his family. Wife's personal convictions on birth control and family planning are irrelevant in decision-making. There is a pressure from the husband's family to produce male offspring. The family is mainly concerned with birth of heirs, not the good health of mother. Young woman might begin conceiving at very early age & endure several consecutive pregnancies in the hope of a male offspring. Although everyone is involved in the decision for the couple to have a child, nobody is involved in providing adequate pre-natal care to the expectant mother. Half of the women don't get any extra food during pregnancy. Many women remain neglected & abused from in-law home; they often endure low calorie intake, insufficient nutrition & inadequqte medical attention through the course of their pregnancy & facing serious risk of birth complications & maternal mortality.