CONTESTING BOUNDARIES AND PRODUCING THE NORM: GENDER-RELATED ISSUES IN ISLAMIC THEORY AND PRACTICE

Particularly in the last decades, due to the rapid development of theoretical perspectives across disciplines, the notion of gender has evolved into an umbrella term that today refers to a broad array of themes: from gender-defined social behaviour to sexual and reproductive rights and to matters related to control over one’s body. Following major trends in the humanities and social sciences, also the field of Islamic studies has been contributing to the ongoing scholarly discussion on gender. Two recent volumes that focus specifically on gender issues in Muslim societies (Duderija et al., 2020; Howe, 2020) have marked the expansion of the field, away from dealing primarily with topics related to Muslim women and femininity to a cautious but firm engagement with a broader spectrum of gender-related themes.

Family Planning Programs – An Opportunity to Integrate Preconception Health Services into Primary Health Care

A life-course approach to enhancing maternal and child health by improving parental health prior to conception is gaining international interest. Healthcare providers and researchers are seeking effective ways to increase women’s and men’s access to preconception care, especially through primary care. At the same time, preconception health includes conversations about pregnancy planning (or avoidance), which is a part of FP services. Unfortunately, “family planning” has the same meaning as “contraception” for many people at the moment, which is too simplistic because there are multiple aspects of preconception health and well-being. Expanding the understanding of preconception health as inclusive of FP and primary care has the potential to increase access to this important care while respecting sexual and reproductive rights, according to a couple’s reproductive plans. Respecting the sexual and reproductive rights of the population requires that FP programs be focused not only on contraception but, equally, on preconception care.

Experiences of women with Zika virus (ZIKV) versus the provision of health services in two cities in Colombia: A qualitative study

Background In February 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the epidemic of the ZIKA virus (ZIKV) in Latin America to be a public health emergency. In Colombia, 11,944 pregnant women registered a ZIKV infection during the epidemic. So far, little is known about the experiences of women infected with ZIKV during their pregnancy, especially those relating to the provision of health services during the period of the epidemic. Objective To explore the experiences of pregnant women diagnosed with ZIKV infection about the provision of health services in two Colombian cities, considering the perspective of sexual and reproductive rights. Methods Qualitative study under the grounded theory approach, which uses semi-structured interviews as tools to explore the biographical experience of mothers during their gestation process and ZIKV infection, dividing the interview into two broad categories: before and during pregnancy. Results Twenty-two women were interviewed, 10 in Cali and 12 in Villavicencio. The average age at the time of pregnancy was 27.6 years. Most women were not planning at the time of pregnancy and the pregnancy was unwanted. Most campaigns focused on mosquito eradication rather than on sexual and reproductive health campaigns. The quality of health care was not sufficient, adequate, or appropriate. Also, the breakdown of the health system to deal with the pandemic was also noted. Some women were treated with disrespect by health professionals. Voluntary termination of pregnancy was inadequately advised, and women lost autonomy regarding decisions about their health. Conclusions In the health care of ZIKV epidemics, it is necessary to include the gender perspective, more specifically, sexual and reproductive rights. In addition, these epidemics must be addressed through a comprehensive, appropriate, and not fragmented health system, in which sexual and reproductive rights must be mainstreamed in all health promotion and prevention programs.

Sexual autonomy and violence against women in Nigeria: Assessing the impact of Covid-19 pandemic

Sexual and reproductive rights are centred on an individual's autonomy. However, these rights are jeopardised when women and girls are faced with sexual violence. Recently, there was reported increase in violence against women and girls, constituting an infringement of their human rights. Relieving this burden has become a human rights commitment for most countries including Nigeria. Therefore, this article examines how these rights were impacted during the COVID-19 pandemic in Nigeria. It examines reports from media sources, and conducted in-depth interviews with Forty-five (45) women in a bid to elicit their responses on their experiences during the pandemic. The research found that the pandemic had both positive and negative impacts on the women's sexual autonomy. This article recommends the creation of more awareness for women, the fostering of political will, and dedicated funding to ensure active implementation and better protection of women's rights in Nigeria.

Social representations of sexual and reproductive rights: experiences of young men deprived of freedom

This paper aims to submit a research results whose objective is to interpret social representations considered by young inmate males from the Centro de Educaciòn El Oasis, in relation with sexual an reproductive rights and their incidence in adolescent pregnancy, in order to lead them to a resignification process evident in their own life project. It is a qualitative study developed from a participatory methodology in Colombia, 2015. The sample consisted of a total of 60 young adults, including 46 teens and managers. The techniques used were a social survey given to 46 adolescents, an unstructured interview to 30, focus groups and resignification workshops. The representations by teenagers and young people about the subject came from female figures, inculcated early, when still in their homes, according to the socio-cultural contexts in which they were inserted. Thus, their beliefs do not favor the development of practices aimed at preventing diseases and teenage pregnancy, in addition to reinforcing stereotyped ideals of masculinity and femininity and prejudices in relation to sex, prioritizing sexist and homophobic notions regarding gender roles.

Costa Rica's Oversized Role in Latin American Sexual and Reproductive Rights Lawfare

Costa Rica's reputation as a stable democracy and champion of inter-American human rights law makes it both beacon and bellwether for sexual and reproductive rights in the American continent. The Costa Rican government brought cases involving in vitro fertilization and same-sex marriage to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, which issued historic decisions expanding reproductive and sexual rights across Latin America. In response, a transnational coalition of self-proclaimed pro-life and pro-family organizations has targeted the Organization of American States and its system of inter-American human rights law, calling on the OAS to respect national sovereignty concerning life and family matters. This chapter traces Costa Rica's key role in Latin American sexual and reproductive rights lawfare as well as the resulting backlash.

Women and COVID-19: reflections for a sexual and reproductive rights-based obstetric care

ABSTRACT Objective: This essay aims to reflect on the repercussions of the pandemic in obstetric care in the light of sexual and reproductive rights, focusing on delivery and birth care. Results: The reflection shows that the pandemic has accentuated the violation of these rights, which is evidenced by racial inequalities in maternal mortality, as well as restrictions and interventions in childbirth care without scientific evidence, detour of resources, interruption of services, reduced human resources, shortage of medicines and supplies, and imbalances in the provision of health services. Conclusion: It is concluded obstetric care faces even greater barriers in access to health care, just as the pandemic of COVID-19 highlighted inequities, disproportionately impacting vulnerable populations whose human rights are less protected.