Reproductive health is a state of physical, mental and social
wellbeing in all matters related to the reproductive system, its
functions and processes. It means people are able to choose the number
and spacing of their children, have access to suitable healthcare
including ante natal and post natal care and have the information and
means to protect themselves from harmful practices and sexually
transmitted infections (STIs).
The effects of poor
reproductive health include large numbers of unwanted pregnancies and
unsafe abortions, high rates of maternal and infant mortality and
millions of women who are forced to undergo harmful practices such as
Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation.
More than half a million women a year die during pregnancy or child
birth, and many more women suffer serious injuries which if untreated
can cause life-long pain and humiliation. Poor reproductive health,
therefore, puts the lives and health of millions of women at risk, and
without serious improvements in the provision of reproductive
healthcare there will be little progress towards reducing maternal or
infant mortality rates.
Having the knowledge and means to make informed decisions about ones
reproductive health is a basic human right. As well as endangering
lives, poor reproductive health is also one of the root causes of
poverty in many developing countries. High birth rates reduce the
likelihood of families escaping the poverty cycle and compromise the
health of mothers and the education of children. In communities where
girls have their first child at a young age they are unlikely to
complete their education which impacts directly upon the future income
of their families and the health of their children.
Our values
In 2004 reproductive health was recognised as a key area of work for
Islamic Relief. As a humanitarian organisation committed to helping the
world’s poorest people and to achieving sustainable economic
development, it is essential that we tackle the need for suitable
reproductive healthcare in the communities where we work.
Many of Islamic Relief’s offices in the field have already identified
the need for reproductive health projects in the communities where they
work and have begun projects that raise awareness of safe sexual health
practices and the provision of mother and child healthcare. However the
scope to do more is great.
As a Muslim organisation with vast experience in the delivery of
healthcare and links to religious scholars, Islamic Relief is in a
strong position to change attitudes and influence behaviour in the
communities where we work. Despite the often controversial nature of
many aspects of reproductive health, it is at the core of Islamic
Relief’s mandate to address these issues and to develop suitable
projects in the field.
Our response
It is very often women and girls who face the greatest burden related
to a lack of adequate reproductive healthcare, including medical
problems during pregnancy, child birth and abortion, increased
vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS and
greater risk from harmful practices. As a result the majority of
Islamic Relief’s reproductive health work will focus on meeting and
advocating for their needs.
However, Islamic Relief also acknowledges that men have an important
role to play in reproductive health projects, but that their role has
traditionally been limited. Providing information about safe sexual
practices, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and knowledge of
family planning methods can ensure good reproductive health for men and
their partners.
Education
Comprehensive information about reproductive health matters needs to be
made available to help keep people and communities healthy. Without
education misconceptions will continue, putting people’s lives at risk.
Despite Islam encouraging people to become educated about matters of
sexual health, there is a pervasive belief that it forbids all
discussion about this subject. This attitude can pose difficulties for
those providing sexual health education.
Islamic Relief takes a holistic approach towards providing reproductive
health information and care, and where possible we will incorporate
information into a wider educational context. All messages will be
delivered in a culturally sensitive manner and often with reproductive
health as part of a broader health education programme.
Healthcare
Islamic Relief has set up or supports numerous health centres as part
of their emergency relief and development programmes. Through these
clinics we provide information about family planning methods, we
increase knowledge about obstetrical issues, safe delivery and dietary
practice, increase the provision of ante natal and post natal care and
treatment, and increase the ability to deal with the prevention,
detection and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted
diseases.
Many
issues surrounding reproductive health are controversial and provoke
much debate. Below we outline Islamic Relief’s stance on Family Planning, Abortion and Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation.
Worldwide around 200 million women in developing countries have an
unmet need for effective contraception with consequent negative effects
for their health and well-being.
Family planning
Islamic Relief should provide people with the
information and means to take control of their own reproductive and
sexual health. Islamic Relief supports voluntary decisions about
child-bearing and methods of family planning, and will help people meet
their reproductive health needs in a culturally and religiously
appropriate manner.
In Islam the use of contraception is permissible in order to ensure
adequate spacing between children, if additional children would
compromise the health of the mother, or if it is beyond the family’s
capacity to care for additional children.
As a humanitarian organisation that provides
healthcare, Islamic Relief is committed to protecting the health and
well-being of both women and the family. Therefore, our health care
programmes will provide guidance and advice on family planning methods
and will provide modern forms of contraception within the context of
marriage.
In line with Islamic thinking, Islamic Relief
will not provide contraception to unmarried couples or individuals,
unless not doing so would cause greater harm. For example, Islamic
Relief would provide contraceptives to women actively engaged in sex
work and who are at risk of HIV infection, as well as referring them to
other organisations for further support.
Abortion
Every year around 19 million unsafe abortions are performed resulting
in around 68,000 deaths and many more serious injuries. To prevent the
number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions Islamic Relief believes it
is important to give people the means to choose the number and spacing
of their children.
In Islam abortion is forbidden after 120 days gestation. Before this
time abortion may be permitted if continuing the pregnancy would
endanger the life of the mother or child, or if there is evidence that
the child will be born with severe disability, or if the pregnancy is
the result of rape. Staff at Islamic Relief health clinics may only
perform an abortion or refer a patient for abortion before 120 days of
gestation and if the laws of the country allow it. Clinics will always
provide healthcare to women experiencing problems after an abortion
wherever possible.
Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation
Islamic Relief has an important role to play in advocating against all
forms of Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation (FGC/M). Communities that
practice FGC/M often claim they are doing so for religious reasons,
however, there is no Islamic requirement for girls to undergo this
procedure. The process of FGC/M is often carried out by a traditional
practitioner sometimes with non-sterile instruments. It can cause
serious health problems and even fatalities and is a violation of
women’s rights.
Working alone or with other like-minded organisations, Islamic Relief
will raise awareness about the serious health implications of this
procedure, as well as its disassociation with Islamic teachings, within
the communities where it is traditionally practiced. We will also help
health workers to meet the medical needs of girls and women who have
undergone this procedure and who are suffering as a consequence.
Send your feedback on this material to
pru@islamic-relief.org.uk