Reproductive Decision Making Role among ... - Democracywatch

The congestion of living space, unhealthy environment and lack of health services make theurban poor vulnerable to health risk. Maternal and child health morbidities in slumcommunities which could have been easily prevented by providing basic health services andimproving access to water supply and sanitation services.1.2 Objectives of the study:The objectives of the study are to1. To know about the present status, powers and autonomy of women of slum dwellersregarding reproductive decision making.2. To find out their knowledge regarding reproductive health issues3. To determine the influence of socio economic background of the slum dwellers inreproductive decision making.4. To find out the causes those deter women from accessing and exercising decisionmaking power.5. To identify the way to remove the obstacles in the way of women’s decision makingpower and to ensure the right to freedom of choice.1.3 Rationale of the study:The growth rate of urban population is almost double than that of the rural population.People living in slums experience a staggering number of human rights violations. They areroutinely denied their right to adequate housing, safe water, sanitation and drainage,electricity, health and education, and face the constant threat of police and gang violence,and forced eviction. Slum residents pay disproportionately high rents because rent controllegislation is rarely imposed in areas considered by the authorities to be “un regularized”.Access to justice is denied because of discrimination and residents have no say in theupgrading of homes or services. The absence of health facilities and schools within manyslums severely restricts access to health care and education. Malnutrition and child mortalityrates in slums often match rural areas.A great number of barriers for women are related in social values, customs, belief andassumption about the nature of a women and her capability, Males are generally referred toas the head of the home. These socially determined roles in the household always havesignificant effect on reproductive decision making. The social pressure to confirm to thesocial elements determining gender relationship is strong and deviation often carries asanction especially for women.Slum dwellers are usually excluded from decision making processes that impact on theirlives and rarely enjoy full legal protection. The lack of security of residence and widespreadforced evictions sustain and deepen poverty deprivation among slum dwellers. Global slum