Islam, Reproductive Health and Women's Rights

Little attention has been given to the health status of women in Asia and the factors that prevent women from achieving a higher level of health and well-being. Like the other women in Asia, Muslim women suffer similar problems particularly in relation to their reproductive health.

The rights of Muslim women to attain a high standard of sexual and reproductive health, and to make their own decisions regarding marriage, motherhood, contraception, abortion and sexuality free of coercion, discrimination and violence are articulated in the basic goals or principles of Shari'ah. Serious discussions on these rights, however are still lacking and rarely have problems been analysed within the context of the local situation.

This book comprises papers presented at a regional workshop organised by Sisters in Islam in 1998, reproduced in full to provide reference materials on an area in which minimal written material and documentation is available globally.