Reproductive Health and Domestic Violence: An Evidence Based Study from District Gujrat (Pakistan)

Abstract

Domestic violence is generally part of the patterns of violent behavior and control rather than an isolated act of physical aggression. Domestic violence can take a variety of forms, including physical assault, psychological apprehension, constant belittling, intimidation, humiliation, and coercive sex, among others. It frequently can include controlling behavior such as isolating women from family, friends, self-esteem, and movements and restricting their access to fundamental human rights that are significantly associated with the psycho-social and reproductive health of women. Keeping in consideration the importance and sensitivity of the issue, the researcher tries in this study to explore the primary motives behind domestic violence that leads to aggressive behaviors and its impacts on women's reproductive health in our society. The researcher approached the researcher's district police office and obtained the list of registered cases regarding domestic violence in the district of Gujrat, Punjab. The findings of the study indicated that most of the women are the victims of domestic violence (physically, mentally, and sexually) and face discrimination and limited access to reproductive health services and pregnancy-related morbidity and mortality. Results highlighted that domestic violence intensively influenced women's physical as well as psychological conditions that led them towards mental, social, and economic disruptions. The sexual violence, including forced or coerced relationships and unwilling pregnancies, among others, significantly affected the reproductive health and well-being of women.