Reproductive Health Policy Stance

Reproductive health is a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing in all matters related to the reproductive system, its functions and processes. It means people are able to choose the number and spacing of their children, have access to suitable healthcare including ante natal and post natal care and have the information and means to protect themselves from harmful practices and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The effects of poor reproductive health include large numbers of unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortions, high rates of maternal and infant mortality and millions of women who are forced to undergo harmful practices such as Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation.

More than half a million women a year die during pregnancy or child birth, and many more women suffer serious injuries which if untreated can cause life-long pain and humiliation. Poor reproductive health, therefore, puts the lives and health of millions of women at risk, and without serious improvements in the provision of reproductive healthcare there will be little progress towards reducing maternal or infant mortality rates.

Having the knowledge and means to make informed decisions about ones reproductive health is a basic human right. As well as endangering lives, poor reproductive health is also one of the root causes of poverty in many developing countries. High birth rates reduce the likelihood of families escaping the poverty cycle and compromise the health of mothers and the education of children. In communities where girls have their first child at a young age they are unlikely to complete their education which impacts directly upon the future income of their families and the health of their children.

Our values
In 2004 reproductive health was recognised as a key area of work for Islamic Relief. As a humanitarian organisation committed to helping the world’s poorest people and to achieving sustainable economic development, it is essential that we tackle the need for suitable reproductive healthcare in the communities where we work.

Many of Islamic Relief’s offices in the field have already identified the need for reproductive health projects in the communities where they work and have begun projects that raise awareness of safe sexual health practices and the provision of mother and child healthcare. However the scope to do more is great.

As a Muslim organisation with vast experience in the delivery of healthcare and links to religious scholars, Islamic Relief is in a strong position to change attitudes and influence behaviour in the communities where we work. Despite the often controversial nature of many aspects of reproductive health, it is at the core of Islamic Relief’s mandate to address these issues and to develop suitable projects in the field.

Our response
It is very often women and girls who face the greatest burden related to a lack of adequate reproductive healthcare, including medical problems during pregnancy, child birth and abortion, increased vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS and greater risk from harmful practices. As a result the majority of Islamic Relief’s reproductive health work will focus on meeting and advocating for their needs.

However, Islamic Relief also acknowledges that men have an important role to play in reproductive health projects, but that their role has traditionally been limited. Providing information about safe sexual practices, prevention of sexually transmitted diseases and knowledge of family planning methods can ensure good reproductive health for men and their partners.

Education
Comprehensive information about reproductive health matters needs to be made available to help keep people and communities healthy. Without education misconceptions will continue, putting people’s lives at risk. Despite Islam encouraging people to become educated about matters of sexual health, there is a pervasive belief that it forbids all discussion about this subject. This attitude can pose difficulties for those providing sexual health education.

Islamic Relief takes a holistic approach towards providing reproductive health information and care, and where possible we will incorporate information into a wider educational context. All messages will be delivered in a culturally sensitive manner and often with reproductive health as part of a broader health education programme.

Healthcare
Islamic Relief has set up or supports numerous health centres as part of their emergency relief and development programmes. Through these clinics we provide information about family planning methods, we increase knowledge about obstetrical issues, safe delivery and dietary practice, increase the provision of ante natal and post natal care and treatment, and increase the ability to deal with the prevention, detection and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Many issues surrounding reproductive health are controversial and provoke much debate. Below we outline Islamic Relief’s stance on Family Planning, Abortion and Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation.

Worldwide around 200 million women in developing countries have an unmet need for effective contraception with consequent negative effects for their health and well-being.

Family planning
Islamic Relief should provide people with the information and means to take control of their own reproductive and sexual health. Islamic Relief supports voluntary decisions about child-bearing and methods of family planning, and will help people meet their reproductive health needs in a culturally and religiously appropriate manner.

In Islam the use of contraception is permissible in order to ensure adequate spacing between children, if additional children would compromise the health of the mother, or if it is beyond the family’s capacity to care for additional children.

As a humanitarian organisation that provides healthcare, Islamic Relief is committed to protecting the health and well-being of both women and the family. Therefore, our health care programmes will provide guidance and advice on family planning methods and will provide modern forms of contraception within the context of marriage.

In line with Islamic thinking, Islamic Relief will not provide contraception to unmarried couples or individuals, unless not doing so would cause greater harm. For example, Islamic Relief would provide contraceptives to women actively engaged in sex work and who are at risk of HIV infection, as well as referring them to other organisations for further support.

Abortion
Every year around 19 million unsafe abortions are performed resulting in around 68,000 deaths and many more serious injuries. To prevent the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions Islamic Relief believes it is important to give people the means to choose the number and spacing of their children.

In Islam abortion is forbidden after 120 days gestation. Before this time abortion may be permitted if continuing the pregnancy would endanger the life of the mother or child, or if there is evidence that the child will be born with severe disability, or if the pregnancy is the result of rape. Staff at Islamic Relief health clinics may only perform an abortion or refer a patient for abortion before 120 days of gestation and if the laws of the country allow it. Clinics will always provide healthcare to women experiencing problems after an abortion wherever possible.

Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation
Islamic Relief has an important role to play in advocating against all forms of Female Genital Cutting/Mutilation (FGC/M). Communities that practice FGC/M often claim they are doing so for religious reasons, however, there is no Islamic requirement for girls to undergo this procedure. The process of FGC/M is often carried out by a traditional practitioner sometimes with non-sterile instruments. It can cause serious health problems and even fatalities and is a violation of women’s rights.

Working alone or with other like-minded organisations, Islamic Relief will raise awareness about the serious health implications of this procedure, as well as its disassociation with Islamic teachings, within the communities where it is traditionally practiced. We will also help health workers to meet the medical needs of girls and women who have undergone this procedure and who are suffering as a consequence.