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Autonomy and Reproductive Rights of Married Ikwerre Women in Rivers State, Nigeria

Womehoma Princewill, Chitu and Jegede, Ayodele Samuel and Wangmo, Tenzin and Riecher-Rössler, Anita and Elger, Bernice Simone. (2017) Autonomy and Reproductive Rights of Married Ikwerre Women in Rivers State, Nigeria. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 14 (2). pp. 205-215.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/58939/

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Abstract

Abstract A woman's lack of or limited reproductive autonomy could lead to adverse health effects, feeling of being inferior, and above all being unable to adequately care for her children. Little is known about the reproductive autonomy of married Ikwerre women of Rivers State, Nigeria. This study demonstrates how Ikwerre women understand the terms autonomy and reproductive rights and what affects the exercise of these rights. An exploratory research design was employed for this study. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to conduct thirty-four in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions with purposively sampled educated, semi-educated, and uneducated Ikwerre women in monogamous or polygynous marriages. The collected data was analysed qualitatively with MAXQDA 11 using open and axial coding. The interviews and focus group responses reveal a low level of awareness of autonomy and reproductive rights amongst the Ikwerre women in Nigeria. While some educated women were aware of their reproductive rights, cultural practices were reported to limit the exercise of these rights. Participants reported that Ikwerre culture is a patriarchal one where married women are expected to submit and obey their husbands in all matters; and a good married woman according to Ikwerre standard is one who complies with this culture. Women's refusal of sexual advances from their husbands is described as not being acceptable in this culture; and hence rape in marriage is not recognized in Ikwerre culture. Education and awareness creation on the importance of women's reproductive autonomy could improve their reproductive rights and autonomy in marital settings. Overcoming the patriarchal aspects of Ikwerre culture-for example, the greater value placed on male children than female children and treating women as incompetent individuals-is necessary to promote gender equality as well as help improve women's reproductive autonomy.
Faculties and Departments:03 Faculty of Medicine > Bereich Psychiatrie (Klinik) > Erwachsenenpsychiatrie UPK > Erwachsenenpsychiatrie (Riecher-Rössler)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Klinische Forschung > Bereich Psychiatrie (Klinik) > Erwachsenenpsychiatrie UPK > Erwachsenenpsychiatrie (Riecher-Rössler)
08 Cross-disciplinary Subjects > Ethik > Institut für Bio- und Medizinethik > Bio- und Medizinethik (Elger)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Public Health > Ethik in der Medizin > Bio- und Medizinethik (Elger)
UniBasel Contributors:Princewill, Chitu and Wangmo, Tenzin and Riecher-Rössler, Anita and Elger, Bernice Simone
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:Springer
ISSN:1176-7529
e-ISSN:1872-4353
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
Identification Number:
Last Modified:28 Jun 2018 10:29
Deposited On:28 Jun 2018 10:29

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