Reproductive Health Rights Of Women Research Articles

'It is what was handed over to us as our heritage and must not be taken away just like that': Traditional birth attendants' attitudes towards the elimination of intergenerational female genital mutilation/cutting in Osun State, Nigeria.

Female genital mutilation/cutting is a harmful practice that violates the sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls. The practice is often perpetrated directly or indirectly from one generation to another as a way of preserving the culture, thus making it difficult to tackle using ordinary prevention interventions. The purpose of the study was to assess the attitude of the traditional birth attendants as community leaders towards the elimination of intergenerational female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) of girls and to determine their level of readiness and preparedness towards achieving it in Osun State, Nigeria. A qualitative research design, using the adapted REPLACE community readiness tool to end female genital mutilation/cutting interview guide, was used to individually interview eight traditional birth attendants who were identified through purposive sampling method as community leaders and key informants. Thematic Analysis was used to analyze the data which yielded female genital mutilation/cutting as traditional heritage, defiance against government efforts and debunking all "western" information about dangers of female genital mutilation to women as lies as findings. The current defensive attitudes of the TBAs as community leaders and custodians of the FGM/C tradition are that of denial and resistance which is characterised by misconception and incorrect knowledge about the issue as well as misconception and lack of support for addressing the issue which is an indication of low level of no readiness for any intervention to prevent or eliminate FGM/C in Osun state, Nigeria. Serious engagement and dialogue between policy makers and health professionals on FGM/C and its effects on women is highly recommended for effective FGM/C elimination strategies to be co-developed with community leaders. Such engagements should adopt a non-confrontational, respectful, and honest approach so as to not alienate the TBAs.

Women and Reproductive Health Challenges in Igboland: A Historical Study

The objective of the work is women and reproductive health challenges in south east, Nigeria. The research also treats the nature of reproductive health challenges in Igboland before and after 1970, and the official reaction to reproductive health challenges in contemporary Igboland. The research method employed was the qualitative analytical method which involved content analysis of relevant documentary data on the subject. The approach adopted was also thematic. The research findings indicate that reproductive health challenges in Igboland before and after 1970 can be classified into five, namely: genetic reproductive health challenge, witchcraft and curses, labor and accident, harmful socio-cultural practices, as well as infectious and communicable disease. The government response to reproductive health challenges includes the different frameworks for the protection of the reproductive health rights of women. These include the domestic instruments as well as the international instruments ratified by the government. The study observed that a number of factors inhibit the provision and availability of reproductive health rights in south east Nigeria, and it includes the social and economic factors as well as cultural and religious factors. It also argues that in spite of these challenges, some successes have been recorded as a result of the official responses to reproductive health challenges in Igboland. These include the elimination of child marriages, reduction in the violence against women and reduction of the harmful cultural practices, such as female genital mutilation (known as women circumcision) and polygamy.

HEALTH LAW IMPLEMENTATION REALIZES GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT

The millennium development program (MDGs) in quality health services, including women's reproductive health, is not evenly distributed, due to poor infrastructure and the unequal quality of health services between provinces. It is hoped that Indonesian Health has succeeded in achieving most of Indonesia's MDGs targets, namely 49 of the 67 MDGs indicators can be improved. In normative juridical research, law is conceptualized as norms or rules that apply in society. Using a statutory approach and a conceptual approach in health law. There is a guarantee of a sense of security in accordance with Article 28G Paragraph (1) of the 1945 Constitution, thereby providing women's rights in accordance with the mandate given by the state and guaranteeing rights without discrimination and gender differences. There is the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, which emphasizes that women's human rights are respected, then women's reproductive health rights have also been formulated by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) since 1996, namely the right to equality and freedom from all forms of discrimination. In the end, support for women's empowerment must involve many parties from politics, PUG institutions, Human Resources, Budget, Gender Analysis Tools, and Community Participation.
 Keywords: gender equality, health law, reproductive health rights

Husbands' knowledge and involvement in sexual and reproductive health rights of women in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia: a community-based study.

Sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHRs) are integral elements of the rights of everyone to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health, but they are the most underdeveloped and least understood sphere of rights, especially in Africa, including the country of Ethiopia. The implementation of women's SRHRs is essential for achieving gender equality and promoting women's rights. Husbands' knowledge and involvement play a significant role in improving women's practice of their SRHRs. However, there is limited information/data about the level of husbands' knowledge and involvement in Northwest Ethiopia, including Bahir Dar City. Therefore, this study aimed to assess husbands' knowledge, involvement, and factors influencing their involvement in women's SRHRs. Community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from March 20 to April 5, 2023, in Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia, among 391 husbands. Multi-stage sampling and simple random sampling technique were applied to select kebeles and study participants, respectively. Participants were interviewed face-to-face using structured and pretested questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was applied to identify associated factors, and a p-value of <0.05 was a cutoff point to declare statistical significance. In this study, 50.6% (198/391) of the husbands had good knowledge about their wives' SRHRs and 44.2% (173/391) (95% CI, 39.3-49.1%) of the husbands were involved when their wives practiced their SRHRs. Access training/education about sexual health [AOR = 5.99; 95% CI (2.7-13.2)], husbands' advance educational level [AOR = 8.81; 95% CI (2.04-38)], good knowledge about SRHRs [AOR = 7.94; 95% CI (4.3-14.4)], low monthly income (<4,600 birr) [AOR = 9.25; 95% CI (4.2-20.5)], and had open discussion with family members and friends about SRHRs [AOR = 1.92; 95% CI (1.01-3.6)] were found to have significant association with husbands' involvement. Husbands' level of knowledge on SRHRs of women and their involvement remain low. Therefore, responsible concerned bodies need to work on the strategies that help to improve men involvement and knowledge, and tackle the above-mentioned factors influencing their involvement.

Islamic Perspective About Women's Reproductive Health Rights

The issue regarding the reproductive system is an important topic within gender discussion. Discrimination against women often results in violence, which one of the forms is the violence of the female reproductive system. Most Indonesian women have not earned the full rights of their reproductive health. It is not yet recognized by most Indonesian women that the rights of the reproductive system are autonomic which indicates that each individual must own the right completely.The issue regarding the fulfillment of the female reproductive system is usually described in fiqh doctrine which tends to be gender biased. If we are able to analyze the issue deeper, the Al Qur'an's doctrine gives a proper analysis regarding the health of the reproductive system. Within surah An Nisa', Allah highlighted that men and women are given an equal responsibility to grow humanity. It is clearly stated within the holy Al Qur'an that woman's rights must be held responsible, respected, and protected. As an example, the holy Al Qur'an forbidding to conduct sexual intercourse with women during their period. Another example is that holy Al Qur'an explained that pregnant and breastfeeding women are in their vital stage, and they must be protected.As there are different doctrines between the fiqh and al-Qur'an regarding the issue of the female reproductive system, it is clear that the gender position of women within fiqh becomes an essential topic to discuss. We need to dig deeper as well as to develop a new understanding of fiqh, which is fiqh's gender responsiveness, as we believe that fiqh discussion must develop from time to time, following the modern human rights discourse.

Men's Rights, Gun Ownership, Racism, and the Assault on Women's Reproductive Health Rights: Hidden Connections

In this current era characterized by much fear of, and anxiety about, the political influence and actions of the U.S. alternative right (alt-right), only a small number of men’s rights organizations receive attention from the media, the Democratic Party, or a large cadre of progressives. This article demonstrates that ignoring all-male anti-feminist organizations is a flawed strategy for challenging the recent rise of the alt-right because these misogynistic groups are heavily involved in the gun rights movement, major contributors to racist practices and discourses, and active participants in efforts to criminalize and curtail women’s access to abortion. Another, but equally important, aim of this piece is to briefly suggest new means of creating effective movements aimed at achieving social justice, one that involves a coalition of broader constituencies that prioritize gender and sexuality as well as race/ethnicity and social class.

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Sexually Active Female Adolescents in Zambia.

Despite decades long commitment to women's reproductive health rights, sexually transmitted diseases and unintended pregnancies continue to be major public health concerns in sub-Saharan Africa. In order to provide an evidence base for future policy and services, this study aims to explore the prevalence and factors associated with risky sexual behaviors (RSB) among sexually active Zambian female adolescents using a nationally representative sample. Data on females, aged 15-19 (n = 3000), were obtained from the 2018 Zambia Demographic and Health Survey, an interviewer-administered, nationally representative survey that used multistage sampling. The study conducted multiple logistic regression to explore the correlates of RSB. Of the 3000 respondents, 49.7% (1490) reported ever having sexual intercourse of which 71.1% reported engaging in RSB. Among sexually active female adolescents, the following RSB percentage were reported: intercourse before age 16 (50.6%), nonuse of condoms at last intercourse (37.8%), engaging in transactional sex (6.2%), alcohol use at last intercourse (4.6%), and multiple sexual partners (1.9%). Educational attainment and household wealth showed strong inverse trends with RSB risk and there were notably large geographic differences in RSB within Zambia (22.1% in Lusaka region vs. 62.4% in Western province). The multiple logistic regression results revealed that those who were younger, unmarried, with less than secondary education, without access to Internet, and residents of Western Zambia were significantly more likely to have engaged in RSB (AOR: 1.74-7.69, p < 0.05). Given the negative health outcomes associated with RSB, Zambian adolescent health care programs may strategically target limited resources to the identified risk groups.

Pengaruh Dukungan pada Perempuan Penderita HIV di Kota Jambi Tahun 2022

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a retrovirus that belongs to the lentivirus family. HIV causes some damage to the immune system and destroys it. Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) is a collection of symptoms and infections that arise due to damage to the human immune system due to infection with the HIV virus. AIDS is defined as the most severe form of persistent illness associated with HIV infection. The neglect of women's reproductive health rights related to HIV testing is an obstacle to accessing HIV services. This situation causes women with HIV to enter into a bad condition physically and psychologically so that good resilience is needed so that these HIV-infected women can continue their lives without heavy mental stress. This study aims to in-depth look at the effect of providing support to women living with HIV in Jambi City using a qualitative research design with data collection techniques and in-depth interviews. This study involved 6 key informants with an age distribution of 31 to 47 years. The results showed that women living with HIV in Jambi City experienced physical and psychological disorders, they need to get attention and support from family, friends and companions as well as health workers.

The Role of Schools in Early Marriage Education and Reproductive Health Rights (Case Study: Students in Wonosobo District)

The role of schools is an important factor in shaping human civilization. The phenomenon of the high number of high school marriages in Wonosobo with all the social changes that surround it, until 2019 marriages under the age of 19 (nineteen) years there were 430 cases including marriage dispensation. The Merried By Accident (MBA) case dominates all of these cases. The focus of this research is the analysis of the role of school in child marriage and women's reproductive rights, two things that influence each other and whether women's reproductive health rights include the right to abortion and to refuse pregnancy which often occurs in society. This study uses qualitative research by conducting in-depth interviews and discussion group forums which are analyzed and described using a symbolic interactionism approach. The results of the study found that there was a shift in the meaning of marriage for high school children, the high number of cases of child marriage was dominated by changes in social behavior and adolescent relationships, so that pregnancy before marriage led to dropping out of school. Women's reproductive health rights are especially not ready to give birth, take care of children so that the life cycle after giving birth to children does not get serious attention, and it is not uncommon for domestic violence (KDRT) to be a way out to solve problems that cause divorce at a young age. The role of schools has not shown significant results because there is almost no curriculum in schools that requires provisions about marriage. The ideal school role is in the form of providing early marriage education and reproductive health, having an effective school fee subsidy, providing regular health services, and motivating students in the spirit of learning at school.

When Misfortune Becomes: Evolving Human Rights Struggles for Health and Social Equality

ABSTRACTAlicia Ely Yamin offers a journey through a half a century of struggle for the recognition and expansion of human rights in their social, economic and cultural dimensions, focusing on the right to health and, more specifically, on the sexual and reproductive health rights of women. This chronological journey examines laws and regulations, decision‐making forums and legal cases that have been milestones in the global history of human rights—events that the author selects from her vast direct knowledge and involvement.

Differential access to facilities for medical termination of pregnancy and delivery in India: A secondary analysis

IntroductionEmerging evidence suggests a difference in access to facilities for medical termination of pregnancy (MTP) and delivery among women in different regions of the country. However, we lack assessments at a large scale across all geographies. Our study aims to describe the percent contribution of private and public sectors in institutional deliveries and MTP in India. MethodsA secondary data analysis using the Health Management Information System statistics was performed. We obtained selective data regarding the total number of MTP and deliveries conducted at public and private institutions. The standard reports of the period between April 2018 and March 2019 were analyzed. The states (n = 29) and union territories (n = 7) were dichotomized into regions, namely north, south, east, west, north-east, and central. ResultsA large part of women underwent deliveries and abortions in the private sector in the southern and western states of India like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and Maharashtra. Women in most of the northern states opted for public facilities for deliveries as well as abortions, except Punjab and Haryana. On the contrary, states like Bihar, Nagaland, and Union territories like Delhi and Dadra and Nager Haveli had a high percentage of abortions in the private sector and deliveries in public health facilities. ConclusionThis differential access highlights the need to assess the underlying factors for immediate actions by the policy-makers. Ensuring safe and good quality delivery and abortion services is the means to assure the sexual and reproductive health rights of women by the government.

Experiences of Accessing and Providing Contraceptive Implant Removal Services in Gaborone, Botswana: A Qualitative Study Among Implant Users and Healthcare Providers.

Introduction: This study explored implant user and healthcare provider experiences of accessing and providing contraceptive implant removal services in Gaborone, Botswana, following introduction of the implant in the public sector in 2016. We sought to understand reasons for satisfaction and dissatisfaction with services and their potential impact on wider perceptions of the implant, including influence on future uptake.Methods: Qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews. Participants comprised ten women who had previously undergone implant removal, and ten providers whose work included provision of implant insertion and removal. Data were analyzed using thematic content analysis.Results: Seven of the ten users in this study had experienced a delay between initial request and undergoing implant removal. This interval ranged from <1 week to 3 months. Users identified the principal barriers to accessing implant removal services as lack of access to trained removal providers, inconvenient appointment times, and provider resistance to performing removal. Nine of the ten providers in this study had experienced barriers to providing implant removal, including insufficient training, lack of equipment, lack of time, and lack of a referral pathway for difficult removals. Despite experiencing barriers in accessing removal, users' perceptions of the implant remained generally positive. Providers were concerned that ongoing negative user experiences of removal services would damage wider perceptions of the implant.Conclusion: Introduction of the contraceptive implant in Botswana has been an important strategy in increasing contraceptive choice. Following an initial focus on provision of insertion services, the development of comparable, accessible removal services is critical to ensuring that the implant remains a desirable contraceptive option and is vital to upholding women's reproductive health rights. The experiences of users and providers in this study can inform the ongoing development of services for implant insertion and removal in Botswana and other lower-resource settings.

The Implementation of Gender Mainstreaming Program to Health Polytechnic Diploma in Jakarta III

This study aims to determine the achievements, benefits and impacts of Gender Mainstreaming education for society. The research was carried out on graduates students of the Diploma III Midwifery Study Program, Jakarta III Poltekkes and their working areas. The approach used was evaluative, qualitative research by combining the CIPP and Logic Model models. Data were collected using a questionnaire, observation, documentation study and interviews. The results showed that: 1) the implementation of the program was accordance with the objectives, vision and mission; 2) Participants in the scholarship program are female high school graduates from disadvantaged families and live in remote areas, preferably a shaman family; 3) the program was developed in nine modules in eight selected subjects; 4) Graduates returning to their home villages demonstrate their ability to provide midwifery services by prioritizing gender justice and equality: 5) Graduates are able to bring access to health services for the community, especially women/mothers: 6) Increased awareness of women's reproductive health rights. The evaluation results recommend that the program should be continued and replicated with some improvements.

Sexual violence and unmet need for contraception among married and cohabiting women in sub-Saharan Africa: Evidence from demographic and health surveys.

IntroductionContraception plays a significant role in fertility regulation and determines the reproductive health rights of women. Studies in other parts of the world have found that sexual violence has negative effects on unmet need for contraception. There has not been any study on the association between these two phenomena in sub-Saharan Africa using current nationally-representative survey data. We investigated the association between sexual violence and unmet need for contraception among married and cohabiting women in sub-Saharan Africa.Materials and methodsThis study was based on secondary datasets from 26 sub-Saharan African countries’ Demographic and Health Surveys conducted between 2010 and 2018. A sample of 101,968 women in sexual unions (married and cohabiting) with complete information on sexual violence and all the variables of interest were included in the analyses. Both bivariate and multilevel logistic regression analyses were carried out to examine the association between sexual violence and unmet need for contraception. Other individual and contextual level socio-economic and demographic variables were considered as covariates. Crude odds ratios [cOR] and adjusted odds ratios [aOR] with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals [CI], signifying precision, were presented. Level of statistical significance was declared at p<0.05.ResultsThe overall prevalence of sexual violence and unmet need for contraception in the 26 sub-Saharan African countries were 8.7% and 28.7% respectively. Experience of sexual violence within the last 12 months resulted in 10% increase in unmet need for contraception [OR = 1.10, CI = 1.03–1.14] and 5% increase in unmet need for contraception after controlling for individual and contextual level factors [aOR = 1.05, CI = 1.01–1.11]. With the individual level factors, women with 4 or more births [aOR = 4.85, CI = 4.41–5.33], those cohabiting [aOR = 1.43, CI = 1.37–1.47], those in female headed households [aOR = 1.22, CI = 1.18–1.27] and those who watched television at least once a week [aOR = 1.12, CI = 1.07–1.16] had higher odds of unmet need for family planning. However, those aged 30–34 [aOR = 0.56, CI = 0.52–0.61], those with secondary/higher level of education [AOR = 0.80, CI = 0.77–0.84], those who read newspaper less than once a week [aOR = 0.75, CI = 0.71–0.79] and those who listened to radio at least once a week [aOR = 0.94, CI = 0.90–0.97] had lower odds of unmet need for contraception. In terms of the contextual factors, women in rural areas [aOR = 0.87, CI = 0.84–0.91] and those in the richest wealth quintile households [aOR = 0.80, CI = 0.75–0.85] had lower odds of unmet need for contraception.ConclusionOur study has shown an association between sexual violence and unmet need for contraception in sub-Saharan Africa. Experiencing sexual violence increases the likelihood of unmet need for contraception in sub-Saharan Africa. It is also worthy to note that having four or more children, cohabiting with a male partner, and living in female-headed households are some of the key variables associated with unmet need for contraception in sub-Saharan Africa. Our study recommends that, successful contraceptive initiatives should focus on reducing sexual violence, while taking into consideration other significant factors that increase unmet need for contraception. Meanwhile, in doing this, contextual factors ought to be prioritised.

Obstacles to the realization of women's reproductive health rights in Zimbabwe.

Improving the sexual and reproductive health of young women allows them to reap the personal, social and economic benefits through making informed decisions on their health. Restrictions on the sexual and reproductive health rights of young women are discriminatory because they relegate women to a state of being less valuable than their male counterparts. This study explore s the obstacles that women face in asserting their reproductive health rights in Zimbabwe. For this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data, which was analysed using narrative analysis techniques. The study found that polygamy and wife inheritance were among the challenges women faced that kept them from exercising their reproductive rights. Other forms of gender inequality also reduces the autonomy of women. Gender norms have an effect on the health seeking behaviour of women within the sexual and reproductive health ambit.

Batak Women's Reproductive Health Rights in Determining the Number of Children and Joining the KB Program

Women's rights based on a patriarchal system which questioned the different biological conditions of women and men are the will of nature (nature), so things such as destiny and nature cannot be changed. Reproductive health is a state of perfect health both physically, mentally and socially and is not merely free from disease or disability in all aspects related to the reproductive system, its functions and processes. Reproductive health problems that occurred in Muara District in 2018, the total coverage of Ante Natal Care visits was 91 out of 299 pregnant women (30.43%). The achievement of use of contraception in 2018 out of 3476 the number of fertile age couples was 1150 people (33.08%) who used family planning and the choice of delivery assistance chosen by the community by a dukun berakak (sibaso). This study aims to explore in depth the perceptions of women's experiences in obtaining the right to determine the number of children and the right to attend the family planning program. This research is a qualitative research with a phenomenological approach. Sampling in this study was conducted by purposive sampling technique. From the suitability and adequacy of the data obtained, there were six informants who participated in this study. The main informant was a Batak woman. Data was obtained through in-depth interviews supplemented with field notes. The results showed that there were a number of women's reproductive health rights that had not yet been fulfilled, namely the right to determine the number of children and birth spacing and the right to attend the KB program. Patriarchal culture influences the position of women in society, women do not know their reproductive health rights. Researcher's suggestion in this study is that health workers have an important role in improving the degree of reproductive health, it is necessary to conduct cross-program and cross-sectoral collaboration with local community leaders to promote women's reproductive rights, because the community is easier to accept input and opinions given by the king custom.

The Distance Between Us: Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights of Rural Women and Girls

Geography impacts the realization of sexual and reproductive health rights. The unspoken assumption is that rural life mirrors the characteristics of urban life and that geography plays little role in the enjoyment of human rights. But differences between urban and rural settings make a crucial difference to how rights materialize in rural life. In human rights law, little attention is given to how the rural-urban divide affects the realization of sexual and reproductive health rights of women and girls. The neglect of rurality is unwarranted. It is a meaningful, often lynch-pin, explanatory factor for rural girls and women’s lack of access to sexual and reproductive health rights. An exception to this overall global trend is the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). CEDAW is unique among United Nations (UN) treaties in that art. 14 protects the equal rights of rural women in various fields of life. The analysis in this chapter, however, pays attention to how gender and rurality interact with other more well recognized inter-sectional identities. It explores how the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW Committee), the body tasked with monitoring the implementation of CEDAW, has developed the treaty in relation to rural women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health rights. The analysis in this chapter serves as a call for action to conceptualizing rurality as an identity characteristic under an inter-sectional human rights framework and a springboard for deeper engagement with the difference rurality makes to all human rights in both international and domestic human rights law.

Bride Price and Sexual and Reproductive Rights of Women: A Case Study of South Africa and Nigeria

This paper studies the effect of bride price on the realisation of the sexual and reproductive health rights of women in South Africa and Nigeria. It adopts the doctrinal research method by reviewing the nature and form of bride price in South Africa and Nigeria. The paper also considers the legal framework for sexual and reproductive health rights of women in South Africa and Nigeria and the consequential effects of bride price on the sexual and reproductive health rights of women in the two countries. It argues that the payment of bride price inhibits the realisation of the sexual and reproductive health rights of women entrenched in various international instruments which both South Africa and Nigeria are signatories and their respective domestic laws. The paper submits that men in the society should be educated that the payment of bride price does not translate to buying their wives but as a mere token to show their gratitude in anticipation for the gift of a wife. Payment of bride price should be seen as a mere cultural observation without the ulterior motive of subjugating the woman. Keywords: Bride Price, Women, Sexual Rights, Reproductive Rights, Nigeria, South Africa DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/96-04 Publication date: April 30 th 2020

Z V. State of Bihar: Reproductive Autonomy and State Liability

In this case note, I analyse the judgement of the Supreme Court of India in Z v. State of Bihar. I focus on the important contribution that the case makes in the context of reproductive health rights of women, and in particular, victims of rape. I argue that the case provides a foundation for further development of the law on various issues of reproductive rights and compensation jurisprudence for state failures in guaranteeing statutory and constitutional rights of women, including victims of rape. I further argue that the case also provides a framework for adjudication of cases in the criminal justice system, which involve pregnant women.

Knowledge, opportunities, challenges, and the way forward for reproductive health rights: a qualitative study of women in the Bethlehem area of the West Bank

BackgroundReproductive health rights were declared as fundamental human rights at the International Conference on Population and Development in Cairo in 1994, and at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. Acknowledgment of the importance of these rights was a momentous event for reproductive health. In the Palestinian context, reproductive health rights are severely affected by the political system and cultural context. There has been growing interest in efforts to strengthen women's knowledge and opportunities to promote their reproductive health rights in Palestine. This study aimed to identify the multiple political, demographic, and cultural factors that influence Palestinian women's reproductive health rights as well as their knowledge, awareness, opportunities, and challenges regarding these rights. MethodsThe study was designed with two parts. First, a thorough review of previous literature was carried out using key terms and definitions to search for papers, to gain an overview of reproductive health rights in Palestine, focusing on the long-standing conflict, the Palestinian cultural context, and Palestinian law. Second, an empirical qualitative study was carried out using semi-structured interviews that were carried out via Skype. A purposive sample of ten Palestinian women aged 18–55 years, and living in the Bethlehem Area of the West Bank, were chosen. The sample was selected to include Islamic and Christian women, refugee and non-refugee women, and housewives and working wives. Interviews formed the basis of the analysis. The theory of intersectionality was used to guide the various discussions and debates within the interviews. All interviews were conducted in Arabic, recorded on a portable device, and translated into English. They were then analysed using the Six-Phase Thematic Analysis. Ethics approval was obtained from the Queen Margaret University Ethics Committee. Informed written consent was obtained from participants. FindingsThe literature from approximately the past 20 years confirms that women's health has had a place in Palestinian health regulations and policies. Many Palestinian organisations and institutions have launched procedures to promote reproductive health for women and their families, through maternal and child health services. Despite the focus on women's health and reproduction, access to knowledge or education regarding reproductive health rights in Palestine is limited. Access has been hampered by the combination of the political situation and traditional cultural norms existing in Palestinian society. Interviews were considered in the context of several themes and sub-themes: knowledge, information, and education (knowledge levels and access to information and knowledge); services and resources (accessibility and distribution of services); Palestinian context and norms (patriarchal society and loss of privacy and decision making); conflict and occupation (restriction of movement, and discrimination and humiliation); and violence against women. These themes shaped women's knowledge of reproductive health rights, highlighting factors that influence the existing opportunities and challenges for women to access reproductive health care and services, health-seeking behaviours, and overall wellbeing. Reproductive health rights in Palestinian society are perceived and acknowledged differently by different group of individuals (eg, between those living in cities and those in villages), but such differences are rarely mentioned in laws, policies, or programmes relating to reproductive health. Moreover, there is often a gap between laws and policies that are set, and what is implemented. InterpretationThis research emphasises the great importance of women's reproductive health rights in Palestine. Two significant limitations were the unavailability and scarcity of literature on Palestinian women's reproductive health rights, and the sensitive nature of the political conflict. It is recommended that governments demonstrate commitment to prioritising initiatives to promote reproductive health rights. Further research regarding reproductive health rights should be conducted in other areas of Palestine. FundingNone.