‘Cleaning the womb’: perspectives on fertility control and menstruation among students in Antananarivo, Madagascar

Abstract

This article discusses students' perspectives on fertility control, including induced abortion, in Antananarivo, Madagascar. The study draws on a total of nine weeks of ethnographic fieldwork conducted in 2016 and 2017. It argues that while the majority of the students do not refrain from premarital sex, they negotiate their desire for physical intimacy in accordance with the prevailing discourse of premarital abstinence among the Merina ethnic group in the central highlands. In this context, modern contraception, particularly hormonal birth control that could cause menstruation to cease, is considered highly problematic since it was believed capable of creating a 'blockage' of the reproductive system which in turn could lead to future infertility. Due to such cultural barriers, there is therefore low coverage and unmet need for contraception among Malagasy students in Antananarivo. Instead, they would rather rely heavily on traditional methods such as periodic abstinence or the calendar method. Moreover, due to the risk of unwanted pregnancy, menstruation is central to the moral control of own and other's sexual behaviour at both a personal and a collective level.

Knowledge, experiences, and practices of women affected by female genital schistosomiasis in rural Madagascar: A qualitative study on disease perception, health impairment and social impact

“…Some women reported the fear of being rejected by their husbands due to their childlessness. In the Malagasy culture, motherhood is of great social value as it ensures the continuation of kindred and provides evidence of ancestral blessings [ 31 , 53 ]. In contrast to societies in the Global North, where being childless can be an accepted choice or a medical condition which can be addressed, in Madagascar, being a mother is normative to all women and infertility cannot be hidden [ 54 ].…”

“…However, in a Christian culture such as Madagascar, infertility is not only a negative individual experience. Giving birth is considered an experience common to all women; a social duty [ 31 ]. Thus, infertile women are lacking a characteristic which is an inherent part of the women’s community.…”

“…Christian missionaries introduced current social norms during the colonial period (1894 to 1960). For a long time, monogamy and conservative sexuality of women were the mainstay of Christian religion [ 30 ].Today, few couples practice Christian marriage, and cohabitation and premarital sexual relations are common [ 31 ].…”