Reproductive Justice in Pakistan
Although we are living in 21st century, feminism isn’t yet promoted enough in Pakistan and two neighboring countries which are India and Bangladesh.
All the so-called norms and traditions must be followed in order to keep the mechanism of society working. Such norms mostly impact women. For example, women in these countries are supposed to be limited to household work and their main role is to be a stay at home mom. Since women are expected to perform household chores, often the doors to education are closed on them. As such, women are dependent upon men in their families and are considered to be a burden because their expenses are borne by others. In terms of children, the main importance is placed upon the sons.
Marriages, pregnancies and abortion hold a certain level of importance in South Asian communities (Pakistan, India and Bangladesh). There are basically two points of discussion to understand the whole context:
Forceful abortion
Forceful conception
Forceful abortion
This point is of significant importance in the whole discussion. In South Asian countries, men are given a dominant position, and the birth of sons is celebrated fully unlike that of daughters.
During pregnancy, if the family or couple comes to know that the coming child is female, they might force the mother to undergo an abortion, since women are considered as a burden.
Secondly, abortions are generally considered a taboo. Many social stigmas are attached towards this word therefore women, especially women of the lower and middle class, have to go through the unhealthy and unsafe procedures for getting the abortion, which puts their lives in danger.
Forceful Conception
In South Asian households, newly married couples are expected to have a baby within one year of the marriage because of the assumption that the incoming offspring will strengthen the bond among couples. However, the male partner is said to be more dominant in this decision. Now here comes the problem: the female partner might not be mentally or physically prepared to undergo the whole pregnancy process and have children. In such situations, emotional blackmailing might be a factor, leading to forceful conception.
Conclusion
To have a baby or not to have one should be the choice of the couple only and others should not be involved in this matter. Women must have a dominant authority in this decision, since they are the ones who will carry the child for the whole 9 months and will also nurture them. Abortions should be the decision of the couple only, and primarily the woman, and states should not make such strict laws because sometimes abortion is important in order to keep the mother safe.
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