Autonomy and Reproductive Rights of Married Ikwerre Women in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

A woman's lack of or limited reproductive autonomy could lead to adverse health effects, feeling of being inferior, and above all being unable to adequately care for her children. Little is known about the reproductive autonomy of married Ikwerre women of Rivers State, Nigeria. This study demonstrates how Ikwerre women understand the terms autonomy and reproductive rights and what affects the exercise of these rights. An exploratory research design was employed for this study. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to conduct thirty-four in-depth interviews and six focus group discussions with purposively sampled educated, semi-educated, and uneducated Ikwerre women in monogamous or polygynous marriages. The collected data was analysed qualitatively with MAXQDA 11 using open and axial coding. The interviews and focus group responses reveal a low level of awareness of autonomy and reproductive rights amongst the Ikwerre women in Nigeria. While some educated women were aware of their reproductive rights, cultural practices were reported to limit the exercise of these rights. Participants reported that Ikwerre culture is a patriarchal one where married women are expected to submit and obey their husbands in all matters; and a good married woman according to Ikwerre standard is one who complies with this culture. Women's refusal of sexual advances from their husbands is described as not being acceptable in this culture; and hence rape in marriage is not recognized in Ikwerre culture. Education and awareness creation on the importance of women's reproductive autonomy could improve their reproductive rights and autonomy in marital settings. Overcoming the patriarchal aspects of Ikwerre culture-for example, the greater value placed on male children than female children and treating women as incompetent individuals-is necessary to promote gender equality as well as help improve women's reproductive autonomy.

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“…But then, they cannot be said to be happy. This finding is in line with the paper of Princewill et al [30] on "Autonomy and Reproductive Rights of Married Ikwerre Women in Rivers State of Nigeria".…”

Multi-level predictors of sexual autonomy among married women in Nigeria

“…Similarly, a high level of inability to ask partner to use condom was reported in a recent qualitative study [ 8 – 10 ]. This depicts unequal power relations among couples in many African countries [ 5 , 11 ], where patriarchy continue to shape women’s sexual and reproductive behaviour [ 12 , 13 ].…”

“…Extant studies in Nigeria have established varied individual-level and relational-level predictors of sexual autonomy among women in different parts of the country. These include knowledge of HIV transmission, employment, land ownership, number of living children, acceptance of wife-beating, household wealth quintile and place of residence [ 26 ], education [ 12 ], household decision-making [ 8 , 27 ], and child marriage [ 7 ]. More predictors have been identified in other climes.…”

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“…Ladies who are married out for the sole purpose of making babies have little or no autonomy. Autonomy according to Beauchamp and Childress means self-rule or self-governance without external interference [30]. Eroding a woman's autonomy is robbing her of the right to decide what happens in her life and to her children.…”