Ethical Issues of Women’s Reproductive Rights and Healthcare
In the modern world, women’s reproductive health is a topic for fierce debates arising from several cultural and religious factors that limit their selections. Women have many choices to make on their sex lives, abortion, and contraceptive use, among other health-related issues. However, several ethical concerns, such as the rights of women to reproduce, autonomy in abortion, and the use of contraceptives, significantly influence their decisions. The society majorly makes it hard to handle women’s reproductive health matters due to the outdated and damaging cultural and religious dogmas (May, 2017). The modern healthcare systems ought to be appropriately structured to provide women with freedom and authority to make decisions affecting their reproductive and overall health.
Unlike animals, human beings do not tie sexual activities to fertility periods. The invention of contraceptives has proven essential in helping women prevent unwanted pregnancies and manage population growth. According to Anizoba and Davis (2019), factors like Christian doctrines and some cultural views oppose the use of any form of birth control, including contraceptive drugs. The central proposition, in this case, advocates for the society to let nature take its course without interruptions. Nonetheless, such assumptions limit women from practicing their right to choose and may, in turn, results in increased poverty, and a high cost of living due to the inadequacy of basic needs and financial resources.
Furthermore, each woman having an opinion on her will to reproduce implies that they have an option to opt for a natural birth or to adopt a child. It also includes having a choice to try out modern reproductive technologies such as uterus transplants. In this case, they still get an opportunity to become mothers despite lacking a womb (Dickens, 2016). However, such alternatives come with legal and social implications. For example, the donors may want their uterus back in the event their relationship with the recipient sours. In other situations, the patient’s family beliefs may discourage her selection, thus preventing them from undergoing the operations.
Additionally, many also argue that abortion is immoral as it prevents the unborn child from reaching its purpose in life. A significant number of abortion critics have raised concerns about the inexistence of any legal framework permitting women to abort their unborn child (Greasley & Kaczor, 2017). Most of these arguments uphold the preexisting conditions dictated by some cultural and religious beliefs. On the contrary, pro-abortion activists focus on the woman’s independence. However, health-related problems brought about by pregnancy may pose severe health risks for the mother. In this case, they have the right to make informed decisions on what to do with their bodies.
Reproductive freedoms are fundamental and should apply to all women. These rights are achievable by integrating the normal universal rights and responsibilities. Women ought to be allowed to decide on the perfect timing and number of the children they wish to bare. Also, there should be increased public awareness of the family planning options and their benefits. Besides, everyone should be allowed to own their sexuality. Hence, laws need to be considerate of the health disparities women face during pregnancies.
In summary, reproductive health is essential for all women but raises many ethical concerns. Women still lack the autonomy on issues like abortion, the use of contraceptives, and the right to reproduce. These dilemmas are hard to solve due to the mounting influence the existing cultural and religious beliefs have on the issues. Health care organizations and the government should thus put in more effort in enhancing women’s overall health. These are attainable through increasing awareness of the critical nature of issues related to reproductive health and implementing laws that support women’s rights.
References
Anizoba, E. L., & Davis, S. (2019). The Role of Culture in Negotiating Reproductive Rights of Diaspora Heterosexual Nigerian Women. Feminist Encounters: A Journal of Critical Studies in Culture and Politics, 3(1-2).
Dickens, B. M. (2016). Legal and ethical issues of uterus transplantation. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics, 133(1), 125-128.
Greasley, K., & Kaczor, C. (2017). Abortion Rights. Cambridge University Press.
May, J. F. (2017). The politics of family planning policies and programs in sub-Saharan Africa. Population and development review, 43, 308-329.