Gender and the Reproductive Rights of Tarok Women in Central Nigeria
), Ogoh Alubo(2),
(1)
(2)
Corresponding Author
Abstract
The study investigated how unequal gender relations inhibit the attainment of women’s reproductive rights. It examined whether women can choose if and when to marry, who to marry/have sex with, ability to negotiate sex with spouse, and their access to family planning. Based on theoretical orientation from gender-sexuality framework, this paper employed the qualitative research design. The main respondents were female and male of various sociodemographic groups who were engaged through in-depth interviews and focus group discussion sessions. Findings show wide scale abuses of Tarok women’s reproductive rights. Most of these abuses may be traced to traditional male-centred socio-cultural structures and patriarchy that help guarantee the immunity of male violators. It is concluded that in the context of unequal gender relations and dominance of patriarchy, the attainment of women’s reproductive rights is a major challenge which has profound implications for life and death (Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[1]:83-96).
Résumé
Droits de sexes et de reproduction des femmes tarok au Nigéria du centre : Cette étude a examiné comment les relations fondées sur l’inégalité des sexes entravent l’accomplissement des droits de reproduction chez les femmes. Elle a examiné si les femmes peuvent choisir de se marier et quand se marier, qui épouser /avec qui avoir des rapports sexuels / la capacité de négocier le rapport sexuel avec les époux et leur accès à la planification familiale. Cet article, qui est basé sur l’orientation théorique du cadre de sexualité fondée sur les genres, s’est servi du modèle de recherche qualitative. Les principaux interviewés étaient des femmes et des hommes venant des groupes sociodémographiques divers qui ont été engagés dans des interviews en profondeur et des sessions de discussions à groupes cible. Les résultats ont révélé une grande échelle d’abus de droits de la reproduction des femmes tarok. La plupart des ces abus peuvent être attribués aux structures socioculturelles qui sont centrées sur les hommes et le patriarcat qui assiste à l’assurance de l’immunité des violateurs. Nous avons conclu que dans le contexte des rapports des sexes inégaux et la dominance du patriarcat, la réalisation des droits de la reproduction est un défi majeur qui a des implications profondes pour la vie et la mort (Afr J Reprod Health 2012; 16[1]:83-96).
Keywords: Culture, Gender Relations, Patriarchy, Reproductive Health, Reproductive Rights, Sexuality and Tarok
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