Introduction: How Family Planning Use Affects Women's
Lives
While many studies have examined how aspects of women's lives influence their use of
family planning, FHI's Women's Studies Project reversed the equation by exploring how
family planning use affects various aspects of women's lives. Whether women felt they had
or had not benefited from family planning methods and services, and if so, how, were
central questions in the research.
Contraception Influences Quality of Life
Family planning can influence nearly all aspects of quality of life, according to FHI's
Women's Studies Project research conducted in 10 countries. The degree to which family
planning has an impact is often influenced by beliefs and practices that define gender
roles, religious norms that may discourage contraceptive use, and economic and political
conditions. A chart on quality of life compares
education with contraceptive use in 1970 and 1990 in three countries.
Family Planning Use Often a Family Decision
Women often are not the sole decision-makers about their use of contraception. Some
make decisions about family planning and family size in collaboration with their husbands
or partners. Others have little or no autonomy in the home, and husbands, partners,
parents or in-laws decide for them. Still others use contraception clandestinely, fearing
relatives will disapprove. A related article, Strategies Needed to
Involve Men, Other Family Members, illustrates how the involvement of family members
can help couples make good decisions about contraceptive use.
Abused Women Have Special Needs
In many parts of the world, both men and women accept and condone domestic violence.
Some blame beatings on a wife's failure to bear children or to carry out her domestic
duties. Others simply accept violence as a fact of married life. Family planning and other
health-care providers are in an excellent position to intervene because they represent one
of the few institutions to come in contact with most women during their reproductive lives
-- the time of highest risk for domestic violence. A chart
on domestic violence in five countries shows the prevalence of women reporting
physical abuse from partners.
Contraception Improves Employment Prospects
Women's decisions about having children and pursuing paid employment are seldom made
independently of each other. Use of family planning can improve a woman's prospects for
employment, which can result in both economic and other personal benefits, including
better self-esteem.
What People Want From Services
Research from FHI's Women's Studies Project shows that clients have clear ideas about
what they want from reproductive health programs. For example, clients want explicit
information about contraceptive method side effects. In addition, they want services for
men. Clients want programs that focus on quality, which includes a variety of
contraceptive choices, thorough counseling, privacy during counseling and examinations,
and respectful treatment. Charts report clients' perceived problems with contraceptive methods in three countries
and whether Bolivian providers explain procedures
before physical examinations. A related article discusses What
Is a "Gender-sensitive Program?"
Expanding Beyond "Mother-Child" Services
Dr. Susan Paulson, an anthropologist who lives in Brazil, reports on recent research in
Bolivia that indicates how male involvement and other "gender awareness" steps
can improve family planning services. Serving the "mother with child" client has
been the focus of many programs throughout South America, but this focus may exclude many
people who need services, such as childless women, women who have completed childbearing,
and men. In a related opinion article, Gender Insights Can Improve
Services, Dr. Paulson describes how practical experiences with gender issues in
reproductive health services have led to useful insights into ways services can be
improved.
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