International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics : the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
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Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Jul 1997
Ethical issues relating to reproduction control and women's health.
There are many ethical aspects which derive from the application of reproduction control in women's health. Women's health can be enhanced if women are given the opportunity to make their own reproduction choices about sex, contraception, abortion and application of reproductive technologies. The main issues that raise ethical dilemmas following the development of assisted reproduction techniques are: the right to procreate or reproduce; the process of in vitro fertilization itself-is it morally acceptable to interfere in the reproduction process?; the moral status of the embryo; the involvement of a third party in the reproductive process by genetic material donation; the practice of surrogacy, cryopreservation of pre-embryos; genetic manipulation; experiments on pre-embryos, etc. ⋯ At present women bear most of the burden of reproductive health. All of them have a right of access to fertility regulation. Governments and society must ensure the women's equal rights to health care just as men have in the regulation of their fertility.
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Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Jul 1997
Women's health problems in the Arab World: a holistic policy perspective.
The paper reviews key health problems of women in the Arab World. It relies on data and information from international yearbooks, regional data bases, and small scale field studies. The relevant context in which women live; of lingering illiteracy rates, lack of access to cash income, and increasing poverty is described. ⋯ Evidence points to high levels of reproductive morbidity. The socio-cultural context is found particularly relevant to pregnancy and childbirth, seen as natural processes by women, to experiences of menopause, and to violence against women, particularly female circumcision. A holistic policy perspective is suggested to address these problems.
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Int J Gynaecol Obstet · Jul 1997
The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: a decade of responding to violence against women.
Violence against women is a common phenomenon worldwide. Effects can be severe and life-long. ⋯ This article presents an overview of violence against women and its consequences, highlights responses to the problem, and details the activities of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to educate its members on domestic violence. ACOG activities may serve as a model of response to domestic violence for similar organizations.