Role of Socio-Cultural Norms in Shaping Women Reproductive Health: A Qualitative Analysis of Married Women from Safdarabad, Punjab
Women reproductive health plays a vital role to maintain their position in society. The practices to ensure the women reproductive health encapsulates many factors that range from religious to socio-economic. The study was conducted in Safdarabad, central Punjab Pakistan by using IDI of thirty married women of reproductive age through purposive sampling. The findings reflect poor knowledge of reproductive health among married women that deprives them of exercising control over their bodies. The study also highlights the significant role of in-laws especially, mother-in-law and husband in the decisions related to women reproductive health. Moreover, the role of religious beliefs has been found a dominating factor in matters pertaining to fertility control and family planning. In order to protect women from the plight of unwanted pregnancies and clandestine abortions, their understanding of fundamental health rights must be increased by bringing positive attitudinal change through socio-cultural norms and beliefs.