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Gender Hierarchies and Inequalities: Taking Stock of Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health
Authors: Kanchan Mathur
Source: Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 43, No. 49, pp. 54-61
Topic(s): Reproductive health
Sexual health
Women's health
Country: Asia
  India
Published: DEC 2008
Abstract: Following the United Nations conferences on women in Cairo and Beijing, which established the importance of gender as a critical dimension of reproductive and women's health, India initiated several changes in its family welfare programmes in a phased manner. However, despite these changes, the sexual and reproductive health of women continues to be an area of concern. This paper examines the socio-cultural determinants to women's health in Rajasthan in the light of the National Family Health Survey-3 data as well as the current policies and programmes affecting women's health. It asserts that in the present context, women's bodies, health and sexuality are being grossly neglected and abused in Rajasthan and there is a dire need for reform in the state's attitude towards women's health needs.