Promoting women's reproductive health: why autonomy matters

Abstract

Community health clinics in Bangladesh are well known for their reproductive health care services such as maternal health care and counselling on contraceptive methods. However, since women’s reproductive health conditions determine their overall well-being, community clinics’ reproductive health care services require a critical analysis. Within a social justice framework, this thesis argues that women’s autonomy should receive adequate attention in providing reproductive health care for them, and that it currently does not. I analyze community clinics’ activities in the areas of both reproductive health care and health research. While acknowledging the positive aspects of the system at the macro level, I conclude that community health clinics lack an appreciation for women’s autonomy in promoting women’s reproductive health, despite the strong moral reasons for considering women’s autonomy as a paramount concern.