Do the rights of poor women really matter? Globalization and the protection of reproductive health rights in Uganda

Abstract

In Uganda, there has been some progress in the advancement of women's
status through various policy strategies. The policy framework identifies the
protection of reproductive health rights as one of government's priorities.
Employing library and desk research, the article critically examines the policy
framework within which poor women's reproductive health rights are
protected. This article argues that the policy framework is geared more
towards protection of the interests of globalization than reproductive health
rights of poor women. Privatization of health care services ignores the fact
that because of their poverty, poor women cannot afford such services. Private
sector led growth, whether in health or agriculture has a deleterious impact on
poor women's reproductive health rights. Reproductive health policies that
exalt contraception over critical areas such as emergency obstetric care,
nutritional and occupational health are bound to fail. Any policies designed
to protect the reproductive health rights of poor women must take into account
their interests, realities and experiences. This can be achieved by involving
women in the design, implementation and evaluation of policies intended for
their benefit. Short of this, poor women will continue to be mere spectators of
the so-called benefits of the globalization process.

East African Journal of Peace and Human rights Vol. 13 (1) 2007: pp. 81-103