WOMEN’S KNOWLEDGE OF REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RIGHTS AND THEIR PARTICIPATION IN REPRODUCTIVE DECISION MAKING: AN EXPLORATIVE STUDY OF WOMEN IN ANKPA LOCAL GOVERNMENT OF KOGI STATE OF NIGERIA
ISMAIL B. BABA *
School of Social Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia.
RAJWANI MD ZAIN
School of Social Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia.
MALLAM HUSSAYN UMAR IDRIS
School of Social Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The paper explores women knowledge of Reproductive Health and Reproductive Health Rights in Nigeria using Ankpa Local Government of Kogi State as a unit of analysis. Qualitative research was carried out using in-depth interviews. 20 married women were interviewed and 5 married women and 5 married men were discussants in the focus group discussion in Ankpa local government area (LGA) of Kogi State and the findings revealed that cultural, religious, educations as well as empowerment of women are some of the impediment to reproductive health knowledge and rights in Nigeria. The paper suggest, educating women as well as creation of jobs opportunities.
Keywords: Health, reproductive, rights and women