Feminization and Stigmatization of Infertility in Malawi
The World Health Organization defines infertility as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular and unprotected sex (WHO, 1975). Despite research that has shown that 50 per cent of infertility cases can be attributed to the male partner, in many societies the blame is cast on the woman, he...
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| Fformat: | Online |
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Graduate Institute Publications
2021
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| Mynediad Ar-lein: | 47494 |
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Dim Tagiau, Byddwch y cyntaf i dagio'r cofnod hwn!
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| _version_ | 1869515704741396480 |
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| author | Boetumelo Julianne Nyasulu |
| author_browse | Boetumelo Julianne Nyasulu |
| author_facet | Boetumelo Julianne Nyasulu |
| author_sort | Boetumelo Julianne Nyasulu |
| collection | Directory of Open Access Books |
| description | The World Health Organization defines infertility as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular and unprotected sex (WHO, 1975). Despite research that has shown that 50 per cent of infertility cases can be attributed to the male partner, in many societies the blame is cast on the woman, her voice silenced, and any action taken by the man deemed justifiable. Infertility affects millions of people across Sub-Saharan Africa, and in a socio-cultural context where children are valued as a source of wealth for the family, perceived infertility can result in neglect, abuse, marital instability, banishment, discrimination and social stigma (Barden-O’Fallon, 2005). The topic of infertility is often considered to be a taboo subject, with women being accused of witchcraft, prior abortions or prostitution. Malawi is a small country in Central-East Africa, bordered by Tanzania and Mozambique, with a population of 18 million, 85 percent of which resides in rural areas. Similarly to other countries in the region, fertility is highly desired and valued. Malawi’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined over the years, but still sits relatively high, at 5.49 children per woman as of 2017 (Index Mundi, 2018). In demographic discourse, this declining fertility rate is often celebrated as a sign of the country moving towards a more industrialized economic system. However, this rhetoric on demographic transition invisibilizes the social and psychological consequences of infertility, experienced in varying contexts. This thesis will examine the social stigmatization and feminization of infertility in Malawi, and specifically how stigma is understood and managed in the context of socio-cultural perceptions of infertility, within the local ecology of Malawi, as well as its effect on lived experiences and gender identities. Data was collected from four participant groups – infertile women, religious leaders, health workers, and community members through interviews, discussion groups, and informal conversation. The empirical findings demonstrate that infertility does not exist solely as a biological or physiological condition, requiring a biomedical approach, but rather encompasses emotional, social, cultural, religious and economic spheres. As such, the approach to infertility response must also include these spheres, focusing not only on preventive measures but also addressing stigma, patriarchal structures, gender inequality, poverty, and sexual and reproductive health knowledge. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Vahabzadeh Foundation for financially supporting the publication of best works by young researchers of the Graduate Institute, giving a priority to those who have been awarded academic prizes for their master’s dissertations. |
| format | Online |
| id | doab-20.500.12854ir-47494 |
| institution | Directory of Open Access Books |
| language | eng |
| publishDate | 2021 |
| publishDateRange | 2021 |
| publishDateSort | 2021 |
| publisher | Graduate Institute Publications |
| publisherStr | Graduate Institute Publications |
| record_format | ojs |
| spelling | doab-20.500.12854ir-474942024-04-01T23:19:55Z Feminization and Stigmatization of Infertility in Malawi Boetumelo Julianne Nyasulu H1-99 stigma sociology discrimination infertility women thema EDItEUR::N History and Archaeology::NH History The World Health Organization defines infertility as the inability to conceive after 12 months of regular and unprotected sex (WHO, 1975). Despite research that has shown that 50 per cent of infertility cases can be attributed to the male partner, in many societies the blame is cast on the woman, her voice silenced, and any action taken by the man deemed justifiable. Infertility affects millions of people across Sub-Saharan Africa, and in a socio-cultural context where children are valued as a source of wealth for the family, perceived infertility can result in neglect, abuse, marital instability, banishment, discrimination and social stigma (Barden-O’Fallon, 2005). The topic of infertility is often considered to be a taboo subject, with women being accused of witchcraft, prior abortions or prostitution. Malawi is a small country in Central-East Africa, bordered by Tanzania and Mozambique, with a population of 18 million, 85 percent of which resides in rural areas. Similarly to other countries in the region, fertility is highly desired and valued. Malawi’s total fertility rate (TFR) has declined over the years, but still sits relatively high, at 5.49 children per woman as of 2017 (Index Mundi, 2018). In demographic discourse, this declining fertility rate is often celebrated as a sign of the country moving towards a more industrialized economic system. However, this rhetoric on demographic transition invisibilizes the social and psychological consequences of infertility, experienced in varying contexts. This thesis will examine the social stigmatization and feminization of infertility in Malawi, and specifically how stigma is understood and managed in the context of socio-cultural perceptions of infertility, within the local ecology of Malawi, as well as its effect on lived experiences and gender identities. Data was collected from four participant groups – infertile women, religious leaders, health workers, and community members through interviews, discussion groups, and informal conversation. The empirical findings demonstrate that infertility does not exist solely as a biological or physiological condition, requiring a biomedical approach, but rather encompasses emotional, social, cultural, religious and economic spheres. As such, the approach to infertility response must also include these spheres, focusing not only on preventive measures but also addressing stigma, patriarchal structures, gender inequality, poverty, and sexual and reproductive health knowledge. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Vahabzadeh Foundation for financially supporting the publication of best works by young researchers of the Graduate Institute, giving a priority to those who have been awarded academic prizes for their master’s dissertations. 2021-02-11T13:32:33Z 2021-02-11T13:32:33Z 2020-09-09 12:19:30 book 47494 9782940600168 https://directory.doabooks.org/handle/20.500.12854/47494 eng image/png Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://books.openedition.org/iheid/7597 Graduate Institute Publications 10.4000/books.iheid.7597 10.4000/books.iheid.7597 72b0526f-f1c9-41b3-a451-219e0317e896 9782940600168 open access |
| spellingShingle | H1-99 stigma sociology discrimination infertility women thema EDItEUR::N History and Archaeology::NH History Boetumelo Julianne Nyasulu Feminization and Stigmatization of Infertility in Malawi |
| title | Feminization and Stigmatization of Infertility in Malawi |
| title_full | Feminization and Stigmatization of Infertility in Malawi |
| title_fullStr | Feminization and Stigmatization of Infertility in Malawi |
| title_full_unstemmed | Feminization and Stigmatization of Infertility in Malawi |
| title_short | Feminization and Stigmatization of Infertility in Malawi |
| title_sort | feminization and stigmatization of infertility in malawi |
| topic | H1-99 stigma sociology discrimination infertility women thema EDItEUR::N History and Archaeology::NH History |
| topic_facet | H1-99 stigma sociology discrimination infertility women thema EDItEUR::N History and Archaeology::NH History |
| url | 47494 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT boetumelojuliannenyasulu feminizationandstigmatizationofinfertilityinmalawi |