Violence Against Women and Contraceptive Rights
摘要
Violence against women is a global public health and human rights crisis with far-reaching implications for their physical, mental, and reproductive well-being. This chapter explores the intersection of gender-based violence and contraceptive rights, emphasizing how domestic abuse, coercion, and restrictive laws impede women’s autonomy and access to reproductive healthcare. It outlines how violence—whether physical, emotional, or systemic—can limit contraceptive use, result in unplanned pregnancies, and contribute to unsafe abortions. The legal landscape in India is examined, highlighting progressive judicial interpretations that increasingly recognize reproductive rights as integral to the right to life and dignity under constitutional and human rights frameworks. Landmark cases have affirmed the state’s duty to ensure maternal health, noncoercive access to contraception, and protection from child marriage. The role of international agreements such as the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) in reinforcing reproductive rights is also discussed. Furthermore, the chapter reviews evidence from national surveys and studies, including the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), linking intimate partner violence (IPV) with contraceptive discontinuation and reproductive coercion. Policy challenges, cultural stigmas, and systemic gaps in healthcare access are analyzed, alongside initiatives like Developing Harmonious Equitable Empowered Resilient Advocates (DHEERA), which aim to drive change through education, advocacy, and stakeholder collaboration. Addressing violence and safeguarding contraceptive rights are essential for achieving gender equity, upholding bodily autonomy, and ensuring comprehensive reproductive justice.