Women's voices and meanings of empowerment for reproductive decisions: a qualitative study in Mozambique
Abstract Background Women in Mozambique are often disempowered when it comes to making decisions concerning their lives, including their bodies and reproductive options. This study aimed to explore the views of women in Mozambique about key elements of empowerment for reproductive decisions and the...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2024-02-01
|
| Series: | Reproductive Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-024-01748-7 |
| _version_ | 1797274465525039104 |
|---|---|
| author | Sofia Castro Lopes Deborah Constant Sílvia Fraga Jane Harries |
| author_facet | Sofia Castro Lopes Deborah Constant Sílvia Fraga Jane Harries |
| author_sort | Sofia Castro Lopes |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Women in Mozambique are often disempowered when it comes to making decisions concerning their lives, including their bodies and reproductive options. This study aimed to explore the views of women in Mozambique about key elements of empowerment for reproductive decisions and the meanings they attach to these elements. Methods Qualitative in-depth interviews were undertaken with 64 women of reproductive age (18–49 years) in two provinces in Mozambique. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling. Data collection took place between February and March 2020 in Maputo city and Province, and during August 2020 in Nampula Province. A thematic analysis was performed. Results Women described crucial elements of how power is exerted for reproductive choices. These choices include the ability to plan the number and timing of pregnancies and the ability either to negotiate with sexual partners by voicing choice and influencing decisions, or to exercise their right to make decisions independently. They considered that women with empowerment had characteristics such as independence, active participation and being free. These characteristics are recognized key enablers for the process of women’s empowerment. Conclusions This study’s findings contribute to an expanded conceptualization and operationalization of women’s sexual and reproductive empowerment by unveiling key elements that need to be considered in future research and approaches to women’s empowerment. Furthermore, it gave women the central role and voice in the research of empowerment's conceptualization and measurement where women’s views and meanings are seldom considered. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:58:45Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b9685465c1c84251b8cfaccc5a691cf0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1742-4755 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:58:45Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Reproductive Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-b9685465c1c84251b8cfaccc5a691cf02024-03-05T19:18:25ZengBMCReproductive Health1742-47552024-02-0121111110.1186/s12978-024-01748-7Women's voices and meanings of empowerment for reproductive decisions: a qualitative study in MozambiqueSofia Castro Lopes0Deborah Constant1Sílvia Fraga2Jane Harries3Division of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Cape TownDivision of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Cape TownEPIUnit-Institute of Public Health, University of PortoDivision of Social and Behavioural Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Cape TownAbstract Background Women in Mozambique are often disempowered when it comes to making decisions concerning their lives, including their bodies and reproductive options. This study aimed to explore the views of women in Mozambique about key elements of empowerment for reproductive decisions and the meanings they attach to these elements. Methods Qualitative in-depth interviews were undertaken with 64 women of reproductive age (18–49 years) in two provinces in Mozambique. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling. Data collection took place between February and March 2020 in Maputo city and Province, and during August 2020 in Nampula Province. A thematic analysis was performed. Results Women described crucial elements of how power is exerted for reproductive choices. These choices include the ability to plan the number and timing of pregnancies and the ability either to negotiate with sexual partners by voicing choice and influencing decisions, or to exercise their right to make decisions independently. They considered that women with empowerment had characteristics such as independence, active participation and being free. These characteristics are recognized key enablers for the process of women’s empowerment. Conclusions This study’s findings contribute to an expanded conceptualization and operationalization of women’s sexual and reproductive empowerment by unveiling key elements that need to be considered in future research and approaches to women’s empowerment. Furthermore, it gave women the central role and voice in the research of empowerment's conceptualization and measurement where women’s views and meanings are seldom considered.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-024-01748-7Women’s empowermentReproductive empowermentMozambiqueConceptualization |
| spellingShingle | Sofia Castro Lopes Deborah Constant Sílvia Fraga Jane Harries Women's voices and meanings of empowerment for reproductive decisions: a qualitative study in Mozambique Reproductive Health Women’s empowerment Reproductive empowerment Mozambique Conceptualization |
| title | Women's voices and meanings of empowerment for reproductive decisions: a qualitative study in Mozambique |
| title_full | Women's voices and meanings of empowerment for reproductive decisions: a qualitative study in Mozambique |
| title_fullStr | Women's voices and meanings of empowerment for reproductive decisions: a qualitative study in Mozambique |
| title_full_unstemmed | Women's voices and meanings of empowerment for reproductive decisions: a qualitative study in Mozambique |
| title_short | Women's voices and meanings of empowerment for reproductive decisions: a qualitative study in Mozambique |
| title_sort | women s voices and meanings of empowerment for reproductive decisions a qualitative study in mozambique |
| topic | Women’s empowerment Reproductive empowerment Mozambique Conceptualization |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-024-01748-7 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT sofiacastrolopes womensvoicesandmeaningsofempowermentforreproductivedecisionsaqualitativestudyinmozambique AT deborahconstant womensvoicesandmeaningsofempowermentforreproductivedecisionsaqualitativestudyinmozambique AT silviafraga womensvoicesandmeaningsofempowermentforreproductivedecisionsaqualitativestudyinmozambique AT janeharries womensvoicesandmeaningsofempowermentforreproductivedecisionsaqualitativestudyinmozambique |