WOMEN & REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
(Your comments are needed for book publication and research,resource material availability.)
Throughout history, Indigenous women have interacted with other Indigenous women through various women's societies. Traditionally, the matters pertaining to women were the business of women. All decisions concerning her reproductive health were left up to a woman as an individual; her decision was respected, and was final. Oftentimes an Indigenous women would turn to other women within her society for advice, mentoring, and assistance concerning reproductive health.
With the imposition of colonization and Christianity, foreign values, belief systems, and practices were forced upon our communities. Within those foreign systems, decisions pertaining to reproductive health were made by the Church with little regard to individual rights. Traditionally, reproductive health issues were decisions made by the individual, and were not thrusted into the political arena for any kind of scrutinization. The core of decision-making for Indigenous women is between her and the Great Spirit.
Within traditional societies and languages, there is no word that equals abortion. The word itself is very harsh and impersonal. When speaking to traditional elders knowledgeable about reproductive health matters, repeatedly they would refer to a women knowing which herbs and methods to use "to make her period come." This was seen as a woman taking care of herself and doing what was necessary. Oftentimes women would turn to the women within her society that were the keepers of those herbs, medicines, and techniques for assistance.
Which way forward? lets join force with our ideals and unite a global voice of concern for the reorientation of the African Women & their reproductive health.Your comments are needed for book publication and research material availability.
Simon E. Ezugwu
"Nigerian's 1ST Certified Socially Concious Leader"
President
Youth Awareness Campaign Organization(YACO)
Project Co-ordinator-Societal Ladies Allaince for a better Tommorow.
GUTS-USA ambassador
http://www.yaco-ng.wxs.org
+2348027042882
08053222660
"Join Force Today with this young and dyamic leaders to strenghten this Model youth-led organization and Poineer change for the better !! " make yourself heard ....YACO
http://www.yaco-ng.wxs.org ."