Reproductive Health of Indigenous Women: A Case Study on Monipuri Community at Sylhet District in Bangladesh

Abstract

The Manipuri Community, also known as the Meitei people, primarily hails from the northeastern Indian state of Manipuri. There is a lack of extensive research on the reproductive health of women in Bangladesh. Generally, Manipuri women go through a disproportionate number of hardships due to their poor socio-economic status, which multiplies their vulnerability. This study aims to explore women's reproductive health status, especially the Manipuri Community. The specific objectives are to assess the socio-economic and demographic conditions of women in the Manipuri community as additionally as the availability and quality of reproductive health facilities for women, investigate the challenges faced by women in accessing reproductive health services, and finally, propose solutions and recommendations to address the identified reproductive health challenges faced by women. The research follows a qualitative case study method and uses a purposive sampling method for selected five Manipuri women to collect information related to reproductive health. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed thematically. The result of this study is that Manipuri women are suffering from many health problems; they do not know about reproductive health, such as endometriosis, uterine fibroid, gynecologic cancer, HIV/AIDS, STD, and sexual violence. There is no improvement in their health care, sanitation, or communication system. They do not even get any support from their family and neighbors and cannot make any decisions in the family, and in most cases, they do not get respect and support from their society. The results of this research will provide an important guide for policymakers, development practitioners, and social scientists to clear ideas about the reproductive health of peoples, especially in the Munipuri community.