Women Voices Matters: Understanding Reproductive Rights from an Emic Perspective
1Dr. Aneela Sultana, 2Dr. Mahwish ZeeshanThis article ethnographically presents the perception of Pakistani rural women regarding their reproductive rights. Women's Reproductive rights have significantly become a focal point of discourse in contemporary Pakistani society. The evolving nature of these rights reflects a mixture of traditional norms, cultural beliefs, and legal frameworks. The main objective of this article is to explain how women perceive and practice their reproductive rights and how their social environment and cultural expectations shape their understanding. This article elucidates the local worldview to understand how reproductive rights are operationalized and practiced. To provide a comprehensive picture of the state of women's reproductive rights, this study was conducted in the village Choha Shah Ghareeb of District Attock, in the Province of Punjab. The data for this purpose was collected from 60 married and reproductive-aged women. Anthropological research methods including participant observation and in-depth interviews were used to provide an emic perspective of reproductive rights. The study embarks on a comprehensive exploration of women's reproductive agency, fertility regulation, reproductive freedom, and utilization of reproductive health care services. Field findings highlight the supremacy of traditional values and norms that prioritize social conformity and familial expectations over women's reproductive agency. Patriarchal structure and strong social stigma associated with sexual and reproductive matters permit many women to initiate discussions with their spouses on issues like contraception, abortion, and related reproductive health concerns. Women's inability to make informed choices and their limited control over their reproductive potential keep them marginalized and they continue to face challenges when trying to get access to modern health care services. This gap between reproductive rights and every day realities reveals how cultural norms can overshadow the legal framework designed to protect and promote women’s reproductive rights. The study suggests empowering women through increased awareness and advocacy initiatives to reshape cultural attitudes towards their health and wellbeing.