A.

Interview and Data As per Questionairre:

Respondant 1 (This particular respondant was cooperative and quite conversational and eager to share her
experience in detail regarding the issue)

Age: 27
Gender: Female

 How did you learn about yourself being infertile

It's difficult to put into words, this feeling of knowing and finding out. It's like a punch to
the gut, a feeling of despair and hopelessness. For me, it came after months of trying to
conceive with my partner, and the disappointment of negative pregnancy tests month
after month.

I remember feeling like my body had failed me, that I was broken in some way. It was
hard not to blame myself, to wonder if there was something I could have done
differently to prevent this from happening. But as time passed, I came to accept that
this is my fate. This is a test from Allah. A journey that I wouldn't wish on anyone, but I
know that I'm not alone in it. There are many others who are going through the same
thing. We had been trying to conceive for about five years before we finally sought out
medical help and discovered that infertility was the issue. I am currently undergoing
fertility treatments, which have required us to travel to a larger city where there are
more advanced medical facilities. It's been a challenging and expensive process, but one
that we are willing to undergo if it means a chance at starting a family.

 Are you feeling incomplete or missing something in your life?

I do feel a sense of incompleteness and sadness at times. There is a deep longing and
yearning within me to experience the joy of bringing a child into the world, to see a little
version of myself and my partner grow and thrive. It's a feeling of missing out on one of
the most fundamental and natural experiences of human life, and it can be
overwhelming at times. It's hard not to feel like there's something wrong with me, like
I'm not a "real" woman because I can't conceive. It's a constant reminder of the
limitations and fragility of my own body, and it's a pain that runs deep within my heart

 Prior to finding out about your infertility, has the thought of not being a mother scared you? If
so why?

It's something that I had always taken for granted, something that I had always assumed
would come naturally to me as a woman. The idea of not being able to have a child, of
 not being able to experience the joy and fulfillment that comes with motherhood, was
terrifying to me. I felt like I would be missing out on one of the most important and
meaningful parts of life. It was a fear that consumed me at times, and one that I couldn't
shake off no matter how hard I tried. I felt like I was losing a part of my identity, like I
wouldn't be able to fully realize my purpose in life. Even now, as I struggle with infertility
and the uncertainty of whether or not I'll be able to have a child, that fear still lingers
within me. It's a reminder of the deep desire and longing that I have to be a mother, and
of the pain that comes with the possibility of never being able to fulfill that dream.

 How strongly do you think motherhood is a part of women's dignity and identity?

I believe that motherhood is a deeply ingrained part of a woman's dignity and identity.
There is a primal urge within many women to give birth and raise a child, and it's
something that has been celebrated and revered in cultures all over the world for
centuries. For many women, the ability to conceive and bear a child is seen as a symbol
of femininity, strength, and resilience. It's a way of continuing the family line, of passing
on traditions and values to the next generation, and of contributing to the future of
society. This what I believe in.

However, not being able like in my case can feel like a blow to their sense of self-worth
and identity. It's a constant reminder of the things that they can't do, of the limitations of
their bodies, and of the ways in which they may be perceived as "less than" other women.

 Do you feel you have lost your value as a women being infertile?

I struggle with a lot of things. I feel defective. Why does it seem like everyone around me
can have a baby and I can’t? I feel angry. I feel regret. I am always hurting and grieving. I
feel lost and misunderstood. I feel struggle with depression. The societal pressure to
conceive and bear children can be overwhelming, and it's hard not to feel like a failure
when that ability is taken away from you. At times, I have felt like I have lost my value as
a woman, like I am somehow less important or less valuable because I cannot do
something that so many others seem to do effortlessly. But with time, I've come to realize
that my value as a woman extends far beyond my reproductive abilities. This is what keeps
me going.

 In your ideal do you feel you were born to be a mother one day? How has the infertility affected
your ideal now? Do you feel you can live attaining motherhood or would you prefer it through
other means?

From a young age, I dreamed of having a family of my own and raising children who would
be happy and successful. But now these thoughts have been shattered, and it's a
devastating feeling. My situation affected me deeply, and it's changed the way that I think
 about motherhood. At times, I feel like I've been robbed of the chance to experience one
of the most basic and natural aspects of womanhood, and it's hard not to feel bitter and
resentful about that.

 How mentally vulnerable do you feel right now?

It is difficult for me to see other women around me becoming mothers, while I am left
struggling. The constant reminders of my situation make it hard for me to stay positive
and hopeful. The emotional toll I feel is immense, and I find myself constantly battling
negative thoughts and feelings of hopelessness. It is hard to stay optimistic and keep a
positive attitude At times, I feel isolated and alone, as though no one else could possibly
understand the depth of my pain. The fear of being judged or misunderstood by others
adds to my mental vulnerability.

 Do you consider yourself as a burden to your family?

I often feel like a burden to my family. My inability to conceive and give them
grandchildren is seen as a failure on my part, and I can see the disappointment in their
eyes every time they see me. Even more when they point fingers at me, as if the one place
I should feel loved and supported is the very place I feel rejected and unwanted. It's hard
to accept that my family and in laws don’t understand my pain and instead sees me as a
burden. Their lack of empathy only adds to my struggles and makes me feel like I have
nowhere to turn. I wish they could see how much I need them right now, but their
judgement and criticism only push me further away. It's a heavy weight to bear, feeling
like a burden to those closest to me.

 Do you think gender is one of the reasons of your situation?

This is Bangladesh. Everything is a woman’s fault. In our society, women are often judged
whether they anything or don’t in that case failure to bear children is seen as a personal
shortcoming.. It's heartbreaking to think that I am being judged and mistreated simply
because of something that is beyond my control.

 Do you feel being other or separated from society?

Yes, I do feel like an outcast in my society. Being infertile is looked down upon and people
treat me differently because of it.

 Do you find any significant changes in your social relations?

It's been a while since I found out about my infertility, and since then, everything has
changed. All my relations with everyone have taken a toll. My husband and in-laws treat
me differently now. Before, they used to respect and value me as a wife and daughter-in-
law, but now, they seem to have lost all respect for me. My husband used to be my
confidant and best friend, but now, he seems to have distanced himself from me. He
doesn't talk to me as much as he used to, and whenever he does its either hurtful or
 neglectful. My in-laws, who used to treat me as their own daughter, now, what to say.
They often make snide remarks about me. All these changes are hard to take in.

 Do you feel any kind of mental pressure from family or society?

Yes, I feel an immense amount of mental pressure from both my family and society. My
In-Laws constantly reminds me of my inability and often compares me to other and
threatens me about remarrying my husband to another girl. It feels as if I am constantly
being scrutinized and judged for something that is beyond my control. Society also adds
to this pressure by placing such a high value on motherhood and fertility. Like I said, I am
made to feel like I am not fulfilling my duty as a woman and that I am somehow
incomplete without children.

In promtu Interviews:

Respondent A:
Age: 28
Gender: Female
Respondent: I still can't forget that day when my in-laws made fun of me and insulted me
because of my infertility. It was the worst day of my life.

 I'm so sorry to hear that. Can you tell me more about what happened?

Respondent: Sure. It all started when my husband and I were married for two years and still
didn't have a child. My in-laws started pressuring me to conceive a child, but I couldn't. I visited
several doctors and underwent treatments, but nothing worked.

 That must have been very difficult for you.

Respondent: Yes, it was.

 Amongst these troubles how were your in-laws treating you?

 Made it worse was, the way my in-laws treated me. They started making fun of me in front of
everyone, including their relatives and our neighbors. They called me names and said I was a
burden on their family.

 That's terrible. Did your husband stand up for you?

Respondent: No, he didn't. He was afraid of his parents and didn't want to go against their
wishes. He even joined in on the insults sometimes, which hurt me the most.

 I'm so sorry you had to go through that. Can you tell me about a specific event where they
mistreated you?

Respondent: Yes. One day, my mother-in-law invited all of her friends over to our house. I was
cooking in the kitchen when they arrived. As soon as they saw me, they started whispering
things and making jokes. I knew they were talking about me.
Then my mother-in-law came into the kitchen and said, "Look at you, you can't even give us a
grandchild. What's the point of keeping you here?" Everyone started laughing again. I felt so
embarrassed and ashamed.

 That must have been incredibly hurtful. Did anyone try to stand up for you?

Respondent: No. I felt so alone and helpless.

 I can't imagine how you must have felt. Have you tried talking to your husband about how his
family's behavior is affecting you?

Respondent: Yes, I have. But he just tells me to ignore them and says that they're just joking. But
I know they're not joking. They're trying to hurt me on purpose.
Respondent B
Age: 27
Gender: Female

 Can you tell me more about what you've been going through?

Respondent: You see, my husband has always wanted children, but we have been unable to
conceive. He blames me for our infertility and has been mistreating me for years.

 I'm sorry to hear that, Respondent. Can you tell me more about how he mistreats you?

Respondent: Well, he makes derogatory comments about my infertility and has even accused
me of being unfaithful. He also refuses to let me visit doctors to receive treatment for our
infertility.

 That must be very difficult to deal with. Have you talked to anyone about what you're going
through?

Respondent: No, I haven't. I am too ashamed to talk to anyone about it. In our community,
infertility is seen as a curse, and I fear being ostracized if I were to speak out.

 I understand your concerns, Respondent. But it's important for you to know that you're not
alone in this. Many women in your situation have faced similar challenges, and there are people
who can help you.

Respondent: Really? Who can help me?

 Respondent: But what about my husband? How can I get him to understand what I'm going
through?
 It's important to communicate with your husband about how his mistreatment is affecting you.
You can try to explain how his comments and behavior are hurtful and ask him to stop. It may
also be helpful for him to learn more about infertility and how it affects both men and women.

Respondent: I will try to talk to him, but I fear he will not listen.

 Could you tell me about a specific event that highlights the mistreatment and bad experiences
you've faced due to your infertility?

Respondent: Yes, I remember a particularly painful incident. It was a few months after we found
out that I was infertile, and my husband had been increasingly distant and cold towards me. One
day, we were at a family gathering, and my husband's sister announced that she was pregnant.
Everyone was overjoyed, and my husband congratulated her, but then he turned to me and
said, "Why can't you be like her? She's a real woman who can give us children."

 That must have been incredibly hurtful and humiliating, Respondent. How did you feel at that
moment?

Respondent: I was speechless. I felt like all eyes were on me, and I wanted to disappear. My
husband's words had cut me to the core, and I couldn't believe that he would say something like
that in front of our family. I remember feeling so small and insignificant.

 I'm so sorry that you had to go through that. Did anyone else in your family say anything to your
husband about his behavior?

Respondent: No, they didn't. They all just looked at me sympathetically, but no one said
anything to my husband. It was like they were afraid to confront him about his mistreatment of
me.

 That must have made you feel even more isolated and alone. Have you talked to your husband
about how that incident made you feel?

Respondent: Yes, I did try to talk to him afterwards, but he just dismissed my feelings and said
that I was being too sensitive. He didn't seem to understand how his words had affected me or
how much pain I was in.
  I'm sorry to hear that, Respondent. Have you noticed any other changes in your husband's
behavior since you found out about your infertility?

Respondent: Yes, he's become more distant and critical of me. He blames me for our inability to
have children, even though I know it's not my fault. He's also stopped showing me affection or
intimacy, which has made me feel even more rejected and unwanted.

 That sounds like a very difficult situation, Respondent. Have you considered seeking support
from other family members or friends?

Respondent: No, I haven't. Infertility is seen as a curse in our community, and I fear being
ostracized if I were to speak out. I also worry about the consequences of going against my
husband's wishes.

 I understand your concerns, Respondent. It can be challenging to seek support in a culture

where infertility is stigmatized. But it's important for you to know that there are people and
organizations that can help you. You don't have to go through this alone.

Respondent: Thank you for saying that, me. But I don't know if I have the strength to fight
against the stigma and mistreatment. I feel like I'm stuck in this situation, and there's no way
out.

 It's understandable to feel that way, Respondent. But I want you to know that you are not alone,
and there is always hope for change. It may take time, but with support and resources, you can
find a way to cope with the mistreatment and reclaim your self-worth.

Respondent: Thank you for your words of encouragement, me. I will try to keep that in mind as I
navigate this difficult situation.

Respondent C
Age: 26
Gender: Female
 This pregnancy fails are taking a big toll on us and our family, even though we try so hard with
managing the money for the treatment the doctors can’t guarantee us a baby. This is the second
time we are trying, it is very difficult for my husband to manage the money for treatment. My
in-laws blame me for our situation, its not like I can do anything about it.

 Can you tell me about any mistreatment you experienced from your husband regarding the
expenses of your infertility treatment?

Respondent: Yes, there were several instances where he made me feel bad for spending money
on the treatments. One time, I had to purchase some expensive medication, and when he saw
the bill, he started yelling at me, saying that I was wasting our hard-earned money. He told me
that the treatments were not going to work, and I was just throwing money away.

 That must have been very hurtful, Respondent. How did it make you feel?

Respondent: It made me feel small and insignificant. It was like he didn't care about my feelings
or our dream of having a child. I felt like I was on my own in this journey, and it was a very lonely
place to be.

 I can imagine that was very difficult for you, Respondent. Did you try to talk to him about how
his words were affecting you?

Respondent: Yes, I did. I tried to explain to him how important having a child was to me and that
I was willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen. But he just didn't seem to care. He was
so focused on the money that he couldn't see the bigger picture.

 Did he ever apologize or try to make things right?

Respondent: No, he never did. He just kept making me feel bad every time we had to spend
money on the treatments. It was like he was punishing me for something that was out of my
control.

 That sounds very unfair , I’m so sorry to hear.