Volume : 2, Issue : 8, AUG 2016

A GENDERED BODY: A SOCIALLY CONTESTED DOMAIN OF POWER AND INEQUALITY

Dr. Sujaya Routray

Abstract

Women are considered the weaker section of society. They are denied basic rights, opportunities and have a low bargaining power in the society. Her body has been used as domain of negotiation and power without her consent through various ways .Especially her reproductive decisions are shattered and she is not the owner of her own body. High level of maternal mortality is the result of this discrimination. Social structure and norms provides a guideline for any married women regarding her fertility practices. She has to follow them and her family members are the guardian to ensure that it is being followed. Defining pregnancy as a women's issue has made men very irresponsible in this regard and women are the both risk taker and service provider to the family and the society in matters of giving birth to a son and a medium to control population growth. This article deliberates on the issue of reproductive right of a woman as part of human right and the social negligence towards it.

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