Reproductive Health Status of Women in India with Special Reference to Assam

Abstract

Reproductive health refers to acondition in which reproductive process is accomplished in a state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeingand is not merely the absent of any disease in the reproductive organs or in the reproductive system. The concept of reproductive health was developed by the World Health Organization, International womens Health Groups and International Family Planning network in contrast to bio-medical approaches to women health.. It is often equated with motherhood which is one of the important aspects of women's life besides reproductive tract infections and birth control methods. The issue of reproductive health was widely recognized only after many human rights-based organizations raised their voice at different internationally organized forum. The most significant ones include the International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action (ICPD POA, 1994) and the Beijing Platform for Action (1995). The ICPD POA is designed to protect and promote the health and welfare of women, men, adolescents, and families with the specific emphasis on reproductive health including family planning and sexual health and the Beijing Declaration are directly related to the health of the women (Jhansi, 2010). This paper is based on the secondary sources to have an idea about the status of reproductive health in Assam.