Introduction: Obstetric and gynecological violence continues to be a serious problem in developing countries, where women's reproductive rights are violated; therefore, it was proposed to analyze how humanized childbirth is provided in obstetric services to ensure maternal and neonatal health, as well as the strategies implemented in the care of the couple. Methods: A literature review study of original studies in Spanish, English and Portuguese was arried out, with a sample of 30 articles selected from indexed databases such as SCOPUS, SCIELO, CINALH, PUBMED and REDALYC. These sources were organized in an Excel matrix for analysis using the CASPe critical reading rubric to verify the rigor and scientific quality according to the selection criteria. Results: Humanized childbirth fosters the mother-baby bond, direct skin-to-skin contact, early initiation of breastfeeding and the participation of the woman, which improves the physical and emotional health of both, reduces postpartum complications and strengthens emotional bonds. In addition, it respects cultural beliefs and fosters an environment of family support, which makes it possible to face challenges such as resistance to change, infrastructure limitations and work overload. Conclusion: This approach promotes a safe, quality and family-centered environment, integrating strategies that promote the wellbeing of the trinomial, where emotional support and the reduction of unnecessary medical interventions favor natural childbirth, direct skin-to-skin contact, breastfeeding and family involvement, thus reducing the risk of complications in the puerperium.

In China's current assisted reproduction system, marriage and sexual orientation serve as key entry barriers, leaving lesbians facing institutional exclusion under the dual identities of "unmarried" and "non-heterosexual." The marriage system, heterosexual norms, and technical regulations jointly construct the institutional structure that excludes them from the legal reproductive system. Drawing on the theoretical frameworks of reproductive justice and biopolitics, this article analyzes how Chinese lesbians navigate state institutional restrictions on their reproductive rights, drawing on literature research and five in-depth interviews. Despite current closed policies, some interviewees, in response to hypothetical questions, expressed openness to the strategic identity path of "single motherhood." This article proposes that, in the context of future policy relaxation, this path may become an important tool for negotiating entry into the legal reproductive system. The study finds that this strategy not only demonstrates individuals' negotiation of legitimacy within institutional interstices, but also reveals the complex tensions between moral norms, legal gaps, and kinship structures. This article argues that the ethical governance of reproductive technology should not screen reproductive eligibility based on the criteria of "qualified citizenship," but should instead be based on the principles of human rights and equality, responding to the legitimate needs of marginalized groups.

The Rohingya crisis in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, remains one of the world’s most protracted humanitarian emergencies, where reproductive health, nutrition, and psychosocial wellbeing intersect amid chronic vulnerability. Persistent food insecurity, unsafe WASH conditions, and psychological distress continue to undermine the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of women and adolescents. This mixed qualitative study examined these interlinkages across nine camps—six registered and three non-registered. Data were collected through 18 focus-group discussions (72 men/boys; 63 women/girls), 30 key-informant interviews with officials and frontline workers, structured field observations, and a review of 20 policy and operational documents. Five key themes emerged: (1) monotonous diets and micronutrient deficiencies, particularly iron-deficiency anemia among adolescent girls and pregnant women; (2) gendered mobility restrictions limiting access to SRH and psychosocial services; (3) distress associated with food shortages, idleness, and gender-based violence; (4) inadequate menstrual-hygiene management (MHM) and WASH infrastructure; and (5) systemic inequities and neglect in nonregistered camps. Findings emphasize the urgent need for an integrated reproductive-health pathway linking nutrition and anemia screening with psychosocial and maternal care, supported by gender-sensitive WASH improvements. Policy priorities include adolescent SRH, MHM, and mental-health and psychosocial support (MHPSS), alongside equitable service coverage for non-registered camps. The evidence contributes to the RRRC-led SOP reform process and aligns with global commitments to reproductive rights, gender equity, and humanitarian accountability.

A secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data was conducted to characterize beliefs about abortion access in Oklahoma, measure stress associated with the overturn of Roe vs. Wade (2022), and evaluate the potential relationship between post-Roe stress (PR stress) and mental health. From August through September 2022, adult Oklahomans (N = 1793) were surveyed about their sociodemographic characteristics, beliefs about abortion access, frequency of past-month stress related to the overturn of Roe vs. Wade, and mental health. Beliefs about abortion access were characterized overall and within sociodemographic groups. The relationship between PR stress and mental health was evaluated, and inductive thematic analysis of open-ended responses regarding reasons for stress was conducted. Participants identified as predominantly female (54.3%), 23.3% racially minoritized, 7.5% Hispanic, and 11.7% sexual and/or gender minoritized. Regarding socioeconomic status, 30.9% reported having ≤ high school education, and 67.9% reported an annual income < $60,000. Overall, the greatest proportions of participants believed that abortion should be legal with some exceptions (34.5%) or illegal with exceptions (32.8%), while smaller proportions believed that abortion should be legal in all cases (25.0%) or illegal in all cases (7.6%). PR stress was reported by the majority of participants (56.4%) and was associated with screening positive for Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2 score > 3) and Major Depressive Disorder (Patient Health Questionnaire [PHQ-2] score > 3). The most common themes derived from participants' reasons for PR stress included "loss of rights" (36.2%), "concerns about social equity" (13.9%), and "perceiving abortion as healthcare" (11.9%). A plurality of participants favored having access to abortion. PR stress was common and was associated with mental health concerns.

Reproductive coercion and abuse (RCA) is a form of violence against women where physical, psychological, sexual, or coercive behaviors are used to control women’s reproductive choices. This study aimed to understand women’s experiences and expectations with health professionals after experiencing RCA. Using qualitative methodology, 20 women who had experiences of RCA were interviewed. Three themes were developed that captured women’s experiences: Everyone was looking at me with “those” eyes; Recognize that something is not right; and Empower me to make my own choices. This study highlights how women’s perceptions of judgment from health professionals deeply impacts their experience of RCA.

Roe versus Wade occurred in 1973 and was a landmark case in the United States. It guaranteed the right to abortion until 2022, when the Dobbs versus Jackson case was decided and the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe. This abolished the right to abortion and left it up to the states. The Dobbs decision has reshaped the framework for reproductive rights in the United States. This paper focuses on the multifaceted outcomes of the Dobbs decision, highlighting the legal, social and health implications. Through a study of recent research, legal analyses, and public health reports, this article assesses the broader aspects of the decision.

Gender norms in sexual and reproductive health and rights: insights from young Angolan women and the development of a context-specific questionnaire (2021-2022).

In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), adolecsent girls and young women (AGYW) encounter numerous obstacles related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), one of which is the unfulfilled need for contemporary contraception. Unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and high fertility rates are still common among this population group despite global efforts to increase access to family planning, which has a negative impact on the health of both mothers and children. Utilizing data from the most recent Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) carried out in 26 countries throughout the region, this study analysed a weighted sample of 85,648 AGYWs aged 15-24 to investigate the determinants of unmet need for contraceptives among in SSA. The study utilized binary logistic regression to investigate determinants of unmet need. The pooled prevalence of unmet need for modern contraception was 27.0%. The results show that unmet need for contraception was significantly associated with several determinants. Being highly educated (AOR=1.69, 95% CI: 1.46-1.97, p<0.001), residing in one place for 15-19 years (AOR=1.59, 1.37-1.77, p<0.001) were associated with higher odds of unmet need for contraceptives. However, being aged 15-19 (AOR=0.89, 95% CI: 0.85-0.93, p<0.001), history of pregnancy termination (AOR=0.73, 95% CI: 0.68-0.80, p<0.001), using calendar-based contraceptives (AOR=0.16, 95% CI: 0.15-0.17, p<0.001) living in rural (AOR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.76-0.85, p<0.001) were associate will lower odds of unmet need for contraceptives. In conclusion, this study provides critical insights into the determinants of unmet contraceptive needs among AGYW in SSA, highlighting the influence of education, residential stability, age, reproductive history, contraceptive method choice, and geographic location.

Equitable access to maternal health care services and reproductive rights ensures women's control over preferences and choices in helping to build their capacities to make decisions effectively. This study aims to explore the empirical relationship between intimate partner violence on maternal health care utilization among married women of reproductive age by analysing the moderating role of women's autonomy in India. We used NFHS-5 (2019-2021) with a sample size of currently married women, 51,392, from rural and urban areas. We first assessed the prevalence of maternal health care utilization by the Pearson's chi-square statistics between dependent and independent variables. Secondly, we estimated adjusted logistic regression models to examine the association between women's autonomy, intimate partner violence, and recommended ante-natal care (ANC) visits during pregnancy in India. This study finds that maternal health care utilization as measured by (a) recommended ANC visits and (b) institutional delivery is positively and statistically correlated with higher social groups (ie, general caste and other backward classes [OBC] in case of ANC visit and general caste for institutional delivery), residing in urban areas, hailing from a wealthy household, having fewer than two children, and both spouses were educated. All findings were reported for 95% CI and p-values.

Femtech is a rapidly expanding industry consisting of consumer digital health technologies designed to enhance women’s health. The recent rise of critical femtech scholarship reflects growing concerns about the industry’s promises of user empowerment in the face of ill-equipped regulatory and legal frameworks, shifting reproductive rights legislation, and the structural need for improved women’s healthcare. Using a diffractive reading approach, this article offers a critical conceptual (re)view of such literature and traces how these threats to empowerment are situated across disciplinary perspectives, raising timely concerns about digital and commercial influences on health, reproductive justice, and menstrual justice.

IntroductionPostpartum family planning (PPFP) prevents unintended and closely spaced pregnancies, reducing maternal nutritional and physiological strain and improving maternal and child health. In settings like Pakistan, where husbands often influence reproductive choices, couples’ joint decision-making, which reflects shared negotiation and mutual agreement rather than general partner support or permission, may shape contraceptive uptake through its emphasis on shared agency. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of PPFP use and examine its association with couples’ joint decision-making.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted from April to July 2024 in the Global Network’s Maternal and Newborn Health Registry catchment area in Thatta District, Sindh, Pakistan. PPFP use was defined as the current use of any modern contraceptive method among women who were 12 months postpartum (binary outcome), representing contraceptive uptake during the first year after childbirth. Joint decision-making was assessed as a binary variable indicating whether decisions specifically related to contraceptive use or non-use were made jointly with the husband or independently by either spouse/someone else. Data were collected using Epicollect5 after informed consent and analysed using multiple logistic regression to estimate adjusted ORs.ResultsAmong 524 participants, the mean age was 29.8±4.9 years. The prevalence of PPFP uptake was 39.7% with injectables being the most used method 33.1%. Couples’ joint decision-making increased PPFP uptake (adjusted OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.1 to 2.7) while decisions made solely by husbands were more common among non-users. In addition, the number of living children, wife’s formal education, husband’s education and women’s autonomy in at least one household decision were significantly associated with increased PPFP uptake.ConclusionJoint decision-making between spouses on contraceptive use was associated with increased postpartum contraceptive use, highlighting the importance of male involvement and shared responsibility in reproductive health decisions. Interventions that encourage open partner communication may strengthen contraceptive uptake and contribute to improved maternal and child health outcomes.Trial registration numberNCT06324773.

This paper examines Chinese women’s fertility intentions and attitudes toward motherhood following the implementation of the three-child policy announced in May 2021. Drawing on Minello’s theoretical framework for analyzing declining fertility, I argue that the reproductive choices of Chinese women are not influenced by the possibility of having additional children, but rather by the disjuncture between the structural and cultural dimensions of contemporary Chinese society. Market liberalization and the privatization of welfare services following the economic reforms of the 1980s created a disjuncture between the material needs of Chinese families and the traditional cultural assumptions regarding family and maternity, which was exacerbated by the introduction of the one-child policy and subsequently of the two-child policy. Against this background, the implementation of the three-child policy continues to stimulate forms of awareness and reflection concerning women’s bodily autonomy, reproductive agency, and fertility intentions. Employing social media posts as case studies, this paper aims not only to underscore how birth rates are increasingly affected by economic and political structures, but also to stimulate reflection on material concerns and forms of dissent that, despite their cultural specificity, can serve as a bridge toward broader, non-Eurocentric feminist analyses of motherhood.

Reproductive justice is an important issue, but until recently it is still such a utopia. This can be fulfilled if reproductive rights can be obtained by everyone, especially women. In fact, the majority of victims of reproductive injustice are women. In Indonesia this issue is also still a problem that has not been solved. Based on a report from the Center for Reproductive Rights of UNFPA, reproductive rights relate to the right to education and information about reproductive health. Furthermore, according to UN documents, reproductive rights in the context of reproductive health services are related to abortion, which includes information, education, communication and services, including prevention of abortion and the management of the consequences of abortion. The purpose of this research is to reveal how Indonesian websites represent abortion as an aspect of reproductive health and how women be portrayed in the websites as an alternative media. By analyzing media content on the konde.co and magdalene.co websites in 2022, this study concluded: (1) representation of reproductive justice in konde.co and magdalene.co that focus on abortion are in the form of soft news which provide more explanation and elaboration on the issue; (2) safe abortion and forced abortion dominate the content of the websites, with the focus on the limitation of the practical aspect although several laws already existed; (3) women are represented as group of people that are vulnerable and need to be protected. Keywords: Reproductive justice, reproductive rights, abortion, representation, media content.

Good communication within the family shapes an individual’s behavior, choices, and beliefs. Sexual communication between parents and children is important as it affects children’s sexual and reproductive health (SRH) behavior, choices, development, and values. However, SRH is a domain of discussion that is often avoided due to the social stigma attached to it. This article aims to understand the influence of family communication patterns (FCP) on the amount of family sexual communication (FSC) through a comparative research design. The data was collected from 134 parents (64 fathers and 70 mothers) of children aged 13–19. The Revised FCP and Weighted Topics Measure of FSC were administered. Kruskal-Wallis H test and Mann-Whitney U tests were used to analyze the influence of the FCP and parent-gender on the extent of FSC. A significant influence of FCP and parent-gender on the amount of FSC was found. Results indicate that pluralistic FCPs have the highest amount of FSC, and mothers were found to be engaging in FSC more than fathers. It is recommended to develop programs aimed at increasing conversation-oriented family communication within families as it has a positive influence on the extent of FSC between parents and children.

Family Planning (FP) is defined as an effort to regulate births, encompassing the establishment of ideal birth spacing and age, as well as the management of pregnancies. This is achieved by advancing, protecting, and developing reproductive rights to foster a high-quality family unit. Information on active family planning in Kupang City is still presented in tabular form. This information cannot yet be used to view detailed information on active family planning users by geography. The research employed a descriptive epidemiological approach using an ecological study design. The research sample was all individuals who utilized family planning services, totaling 22,703 people. Statistical data from 2022 indicates that the target for active FP users was not met, reaching only 39.7%. Among these users, the majority, 21,831 (96%), are female. The contraceptive method most commonly chosen is injections, which account for 12,360 (54%) of users. Those aged over 30 years constitute the largest age group, numbering 11,555 (50.9%). Additionally, the family planning policy shows that 12,327 individuals (54%) have fewer than two children.

Patriarchal structures have historically relegated women to subordinate positions, prompting the emergence of feminist movements that contest these norms and advocate for gender equality. The Instagram account @Magdaleneid functions as a digital platform that consistently addresses feminism, social justice, and human rights from an intersectional and educational standpoint. This study employs Teun A. van Dijk’s critical discourse analysis, focusing on the dimensions of text, social cognition, and social context. Data collection involved observation, literature review, and documentation of @Magdaleneid posts exemplifying feminist representation. This study identified three primary dimensions that influence feminist representation. The text dimension analyzed linguistic structures in posts, including narratives that contest patriarchal authority and hashtags such as #MeToo and #PerempuanBersuara. The social cognition dimension encompassed the perspectives of both the account administrator and the audience with a focus on gender equality and critique of sexual violence, particularly in high-profile cases involving women. The social context dimension demonstrated how @Magdaleneid’s posts affect patriarchal culture in Indonesia and illustrate the role of social media in feminist advocacy. The account regularly addresses issues such as femicide, women’s reproductive rights, and solidarity campaigns, providing alternative narratives that challenge prevailing perceptions of women.

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) remain critically underfunded and underresearched in humanitarian settings. Existing global research agendas are outdated, lack an implementation focus and often exclude perspectives from frontline practitioners. This exercise aims to identify and rank actionable research priorities globally and by region. We conducted a cross-sectional global, multiphase prioritisation exercise with information from frontline practitioners. The process included a scoping review and 11 regional consultations (informed by 91 SRHR experts), resulting in a long list of 101 SRHR research needs. Using these, we systematically listed and refined the SRHR research questions. A budget-weighted research prioritisation (BWRP) method was used for a global, multilingual survey to score 73 SRHR implementation questions across nine SRHR topical domains and three crosscutting domains. Domains were weighted equally, and regional priorities were identified. A total of 271 experts contributed to the prioritisation ranking. Themes prioritised within the domains included the delivery of community-based care, self-care strategies, the integration of mental health into SRHR services and the improvement of adolescent access to contraception. A strong consensus emerged on the need to research topics such as human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination, emergency obstetric and newborn care, and resilient SRHR service delivery amid climate shock. Substantial regional variation underscores the need for locally contextualised agendas, e.g., Europe and Central Asia prioritised quality of care and noncommunicable disease integration, whereas Latin America and the Caribbean emphasised gender-transformative approaches and community leadership. This stakeholder-informed research agenda responds to calls for context-specific SRHR research in humanitarian settings. The importance of tailoring research to local realities, including health system capacity, legal constraints and cultural norms, was a recurrent theme across all regions. The BWRP method enables clear prioritisation while reducing respondent burden, offering a practical model for future exercises. As global funding for SRHR contracts, aligning research with frontline needs is critical to ensuring effective, equitable service delivery.

The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of the age of women in a country on the access to legal termination of pregnancy. Materials and research methods. This is a cross-sectional study to analyze the correlation between the median age of women and its effects on the legality of abortion. The median age of women was obtained from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs. The countries are classified by the legality of their abortion according to the The Center of Reproductive Rights. The maternal mortality rate (MMR) is taken from the Gender Data Portal of the World Bank Group. Results. This study revealed that countries with abortion given «On Request» are the oldest; with an average median age of women of 37.66 years old (yo). This correlates with the lowest MMR at 47.75 per 100,000 live births. Countries with induced abortion provided «To Preserve Health» have an average age of 28.26 yo. Their average MMR is the highest at 230.44 per 100 000 live births. The countries which are classified under «Prohibited Altogether» have an average median age of 28.49 yo. Their average MMR is 172.94 per 100 000 live births. Conclusion. Countries with an older population have greater access to abortion. This directly correlates with a lower MMR. Whereas younger countries have less access to abortion while having higher MMR.

The International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Program of Action (POA) in 1994 acknowledged infertility as a key aspect of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR). It emphasized the importance of integrating infertility into SRHR interventions globally. In India, the policy focus has been on curbing the population growth, with less attention on infertility. Hence, this descriptive cross-sectional study investigated the prevalence of childlessness among married women and attempted to assess SRHR services at the 27 local sub-centres in Rajasthan, India. An interview survey was administered to 20,098 Currently Married Women (CMW) aged 18–49 years who were registered at the local health sub-centres in Alwar district. Data on socio-demographic variables, family planning, and reproductive history were collected. Descriptive statistics were used for analysing the data. Findings showed childlessness (1.74%) among the currently married women. On the service provision side, only a few sub-centres were addressing Reproductive tract Infections (RTIs)/Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), which are major preventable causes of infertility. The study recommends enhancing the capacities of the community health workers called Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) in estimating the number of childless couples, facilitating early screening of infertility, its associated factors, and ensuring appropriate referrals within the health system for early diagnosis and management.

A Critical Evaluation of Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in Rwanda