Improving women's autonomy in humanitarian crises through qualitative research

AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Chitu Womehoma Princewill, National Biotechnology Development Agency (NABDA), Nigeria, [email protected]'s diminished autonomy is of paramount concern to many researchers across the board. The degree of women's diminished autonomy varies from country to country. The consequences of women's diminished autonomy are enormous; ranging from adverse health effects, feeling of being inferior, lack of women's reproductive rights, lack of access to adequate healthcare, gender inequality, maternal/child mortality and morbidity and lack of access to education. In Nigeria, Women's diminished autonomy has led to women's discrimination, subordination, rape, domestic violence and spouse death. Unfortunately, because the government has decided to treat these issues with kid gloves, wives have resorted to killing men who batter them. An exploratory research design was employed for this study. A semi-structured interview was used to conduct thirty-four in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions with purposively sampled educated, semi-educated, and uneducated Ikwerre women in monogamous or polygynous marriages. The interviews and focus group responses revealed a low level of awareness of women's autonomy amongst the Ikwerre women in Nigeria. Responses from the women suggested that the Ikwerre culture of absolute respect for men and religious belief were the real reason behind women's diminished autonomy. The patriarchal society to which these women belong stereotype them into accepting a second position to the men. Educating men on the importance of women's autonomy, and empowering women financially will help improve women's autonomy. There is a need for the Nigerian government to address cultural aspects that condone and promote gender discrimination

Women and their reproductive rights: a case study of the Ikwerres in Nigeria

The issue of reproductive autonomy in developing countries has been a major global human right concern. The patriarchal system of governance and the cultural practices in most African countries and indeed Nigeria have been major hindrances to the exercise of women’s reproductive autonomy (Okemini & Adekola, 2012). According to our study, the reproductive autonomy of married Ikwerre women of Rivers State, Nigeria is perceived to be diminished. A major reason for this is the culture of absolute respect to men and the patriarchal society in which the women find themselves. In the Ikwerre culture, women are expected to have absolute respect for men. Female subordination and gender discrimination are fallout from the patriarchal society which characterizes the Ikwerre ethnic group. An Ikwerre woman who chooses to exercise her reproductive autonomy without the consent of her husband or family head is viewed as a stubborn woman. An Ikwerre wife who dares to exercise her reproductive autonomy may face dire consequences from her husband; such as been beaten, divorced or ending up in a polygynous marriage. And this brings upon the woman negative consequences such as being stigmatized by society, because unmarried, separated, or divorced women are viewed by society as witches, cursed or lacking proper home training, as well as brings dishonor to their families (Baloyi, 2013; Llika, 2005; Isiugo-Abanihe, 1995). Since a typical Ikwerre woman does not want to end up offending her husband, his family and hers, she would tolerate anything to remain married, and this includes not exercising her reproductive autonomy. Other factors that diminish married women’s reproductive autonomy are religion (the Christian religion to which the study participants belong to), poverty, which leads to over- dependence on the husband, and lack of education. A married woman who is poor will have no choice but to depend on her husband for her entire well-being. To ensure her daily livelihood and that of her children, she will have to obey her husband’s commands even to her own detriment. An uneducated married woman is blind to information, because she is unable to interact and understand what it means to have reproductive autonomy. And even if she is told, she may not know how to go about the exercise of her reproductive autonomy in a patriarchal setting like Nigeria. There is a gap in knowledge as to the real reason married Ikwerre women have diminished reproductive autonomy. The aim of this thesis therefore was to understand what women understood by autonomy and reproductive rights. To examine the reason for married Ikwerre women’s diminished reproductive autonomy and to understand how education helps in the exercise of their reproductive autonomy. This is the first time qualitative research has aimed to understand the reason for married Ikwerre women’s diminished reproductive autonomy. Given that the Ikwerres are well educated and live with educated foreigners who besiege the area due to the presence of crude oil which accounts for Nigeria’s wealth, one would expect that there would be equality amongst the genders in Ikwerres as regards autonomous decision making due to the rising development and urbanization in the region. But the Ikwerre women are perceived to have diminished reproductive autonomy. Therefore, it is imperative to understand what limits the exercise of their reproductive autonomy

Factors Affecting Women's Autonomous Decision Making In Research Participation Amongst Yoruba Women Of Western Nigeria

Research is a global enterprise requiring participation of both genders for generalizable knowledge; advancement of science and evidence based medical treatment. Participation of women in research is necessary to reduce the current bias that most empirical evidence is obtained from studies with men to inform health care and related policy interventions. Various factors are assumed to limit autonomy amongst the Yoruba women of western Nigeria. This paper seeks to explore the experience and understanding of autonomy by the Yoruba women in relation to research participation. Focus is on factors that affect women’s autonomous decision making in research participation. An exploratory qualitative approach comprising four focus group discussions, 42 in-depth interviews and 14 key informant interviews was used. The study permits a significant amount of triangulation, as opinions of husbands and religious leaders are also explored. Interviews and discussions were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. Content analysis was employed for data analysis. Findings show that concepts of autonomy varied amongst the Yoruba women. Patriarchy, religion and culture are conceived to have negative impact on the autonomy of women in respect to research participation. Among the important findings are: 1) male dominance is strongly emphasized by religious leaders who should teach equality, 2) while men feel that by making decisions for women, they are protecting them, the women on the other hand see this protection as a way of limiting their autonomy. We recommend further studies to develop culturally appropriate and workable recruitment methods to increase women’s participation in research

African Women's Diminished Reproductive Autonomy as an Issue of Public Health Ethics

<p>Autonomy is a key in the life of every woman. A woman whose autonomy is eroded tends to feel inferior, and this is made worse by the discrimination of her gender. Over twenty-one years after the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo, Egypt in 1994, women's autonomy still remains a public health issue, especially in most African countries. Although Gender discrimination is a global issue, it appears to be more in African countries where their belief is deeply rooted in their culture and tradition where the respect for men is ultimate. One way to deal with the issue of gender discrimination and diminished women's autonomy is to abolish cultures and traditions that promote gender discrimination and the eroding of women's autonomy. Keywords: Gender discrimination, Reproductive autonomy, Women's right, Public health</p&gt

Bride price payment and women's autonomy: Findings from qualitative interviews from Nigeria

Marriage involving a man and a woman is a universal social institution, but its practices vary among cultures. In Nigeria, a marriage is recognized after gifts are given, and a bride price is paid by the groom's family to the bride's family. Understanding the bride price will reduce the challenges women face in their marital homes. Women's autonomy is important for them to address matters affecting their health. We examined married Ikwerre women's perspectives on bride price and its impact on their autonomy using qualitative methods. From December 2014 to March 2015, 34 in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions were conducted with married Ikwerre women. Participants reported that patriarchy and a culture of absolute respect for men, not the bride price, was the reason for women's diminished autonomy. Participants noted that payment of the bride price was critical for validating marriage to give women respectable status in society as wives. Patriarchal rule and the demand for absolute respect for men need to be addressed in the Ikwerre culture. A woman's capability to address her health needs and use health care is largely dependent on her ability to act autonomously. Thus, educational interventions to enable women's decision-making are critical

Autonomy and Reproductive Rights of Married Ikwerre Women in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract A woman's lack of or limited reproductive autonomy could lead to adverse health effects, feeling of being inferior, and above all being unable to adequately care for her children. Little is known about the reproductive autonomy of married Ikwerre women of Rivers State, Nigeria. This study demonstrates how Ikwerre women understand the terms autonomy and reproductive rights and what affects the exercise of these rights. An exploratory research design was employed for this study. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to conduct thirty-four in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions with purposively sampled educated, semi-educated, and uneducated Ikwerre women in monogamous or polygynous marriages. The collected data was analysed qualitatively with MAXQDA 11 using open and axial coding. The interviews and focus group responses reveal a low level of awareness of autonomy and reproductive rights amongst the Ikwerre women in Nigeria. While some educated women were aware of their reproductive rights, cultural practices were reported to limit the exercise of these rights. Participants reported that Ikwerre culture is a patriarchal one where married women are expected to submit and obey their husbands in all matters; and a good married woman according to Ikwerre standard is one who complies with this culture. Women's refusal of sexual advances from their husbands is described as not being acceptable in this culture; and hence rape in marriage is not recognized in Ikwerre culture. Education and awareness creation on the importance of women's reproductive autonomy could improve their reproductive rights and autonomy in marital settings. Overcoming the patriarchal aspects of Ikwerre culture-for example, the greater value placed on male children than female children and treating women as incompetent individuals-is necessary to promote gender equality as well as help improve women's reproductive autonomy

Content development footprints for the establishment of a National Bioethics Committee: lessons from Nigeria

Nigeria is experiencing, together with the rest of the world, consequences of relentlessly accelerating technological developments, in the contexts of relative lagging of developments in the Humanities, new discoveries in sciences and technological innovations, advances in medicine, changes in government policies and norms, rapid changes in the society, unhealthy practices in the area of food and agriculture, degradation of the environment as well as climate change. Furthermore, Nigeria as a Member State of UNESCO Bioethics is expected to have a National Bioethics Committee to enhance her participation in global concerns, as well as increase her opportunities to tap into global Bioethics resources. For this Committee to be established, the National Bioethics Framework and Policy Documents must be put in place. This paper discusses the rigorous process of developing the National Bioethics Framework and the National Bioethics Policy Documents as well as the need for a National Bioethics Committee in Nigeria