Interaction in public spaces is a crucial component for the development of girls in their early and late adolescence as they prepare for a life of adulthood.
The existing structural nature of women's work (domestic as well as non-domestic) has severe built-in hazards for women (reproductive and otherwise) which no amount of first rate quality of care, total coverage and/or access to health services alone can deal with.
In many developing countries, women's activities, traditionally confined to the household, have changed over time.
As women become more involved in public life and break patriarchal control in the process, they also deal with the backlash of cultural, traditional and religious reaction. Various interpretations of Muslim law are promoted by different groups in the struggle over women's rights.
The health of the general population as well as specific groups (infants, women, etc) has for long been an important concern for development studies.
Reproductive Health Matters has until this issue of the journal focused almost exclusively on secular threats to women’s reproductive rights.