Both as a concept and as a rallying point for gender-based concerns, the emergence of reproductive choice is a relatively new phenomenon in the area of population policy. For decades on end, population policy had been primarily, if not solely, concerned with the regulation and control of human fe

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.

Should we fear the destruction of our culture because a 30-year-old woman from Chandigarh plans to `rent' her womb?

Reproductive Health Matters has until this issue of the journal focused almost exclusively on secular threats to women’s reproductive rights.

A decade ago, issues of reproductive health and sexuality were considered either irrelevant or a divisive by important sectors of the women’s movement in many countries.

DURING the Earth Summit, 1992 held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil the attempt by the countries of the north to blame population, as the main culprit of environmental degradation was not successful.

Most cultures have systematically denied women an equal and autonomous voice on every issue from the election of public officials to the control of their own bodies and lives. When women have organized or spoken out, a degree of social change has followed.