Effects of the productive role of Bangladeshi women on their reproductive decisions

The role of reproductive health care in reducing maternal mortality and morbidity has been widely reported; in most developing countries, however, women still have little control over their sexuality and reproductive decisions (Cook and Fathalla, 1996; Hadi, 1999). This adverse situation has direct impacts on fertility, maternal morbidity, the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases and neonatal mortality (Heise, Moore and Toubia, 1995; Sadik, 1998; Berer, 2000). Although feminists have long been struggling to improve conditions for women, reproductive rights issues have only recently been getting recognition in demographic discourse. The long-term effects of violations of reproductive rights are not yet adequately understood, although it has been reported that abused women might have developed multiple medical complications such as chronic pelvic…