WOMEN’S PERSPECTIVE ON REPRODUCTIVE these is the convention on the Elimination of All

HEALTH AND RIGHTS Forms of Discrimination Against Women

By: Morag Humble
Women play a primary role in the
economic productivity as farmers and producers
beyond the domestic sphere. Women who try
to move beyond their “traditional” spheres and
into the modern labour market often face
barriers or penalties, or as channeled into lower
status or less secure positions without access to
decision-making power.
(CEDAW) . The Vienna Declaration and
Programme of Action adopted in 1993 by the
World Conference on Human Rights also states:
The human rights of women and of the girl-child
are an inalienable, integral and indivisible part
of universal human rights.
Women and population policies
The official

Men and women are thought to have

different attitudes towards sex and sexual
needs, and society accords them different
amounts of freedom and power in getting their
sexual needs met.

Women are socialized to give priority to

meeting the demands of their husbands, hence
women’s own sexual pleasure and satisfaction
are often not recognized as equally valuable and
important aspects of sexuality.

Motherhood and women’s needs

Motherhood is perceived as a blessed

state through which women earn societal
recognition and protection as well as a sense of
personal identity and fulfillment. As a basic right
and because of society’s perception of
motherhood, access to services to ensure safe
delivery is an essential core of any reproductive
health service.

Reproductive rights as human rights

Women’s rights are a part of the human

rights, therefore instruments requiring
government accountability on reproductive
rights are already in existence. The strongest of