Gender Dimensions of Sexual and Reproductive Health of Women in Russia and India

Abstract

The proposed research intends to study the relationship between the hierarchies of gender and the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of women, an important aspect of public health. Public health relates to the prevention of diseases and promotion of good health among various groups and communities of the society, through public and private organizations, groups and individuals (Winslow 1920). Sexual and reproductive health relates to the issues, concerns and diseases associated with sexual activities, reproductive organs of individuals and the process of procreation. Since this research aims at studying how the hierarchies of gender have impacted the overall understanding and addressal of the SRH of women, it becomes important to study the concept of power and analyse its functioning through gender. This research topic was chosen due to the growing concerns related to the SRH of women. The death rate among women due to SRH problems like breast cancers, cervical cancers and STDs, is high. The maternal death rate in many countries is still very high. Various SRH concerns like leucorrhoea and vaginal infections are common among women, yet are not discussed hence creating unawareness among women and therefore remain untreated. The proposed research would be studying the SRH of women in Russia and India because they have a similar social structure, their political economies witnessed change and technological inflow during the same period and yet the SRH of Russian women is relatively better than the Indian women.