Women to Women Transfer of Health and Reproductive Knowledge,

Mumtaz, K and Rauf, F
for Shirkat Gah, 1996

Through qualitative methods this research aims at eliciting women's perceptions on different aspects related to their lives. The different life stages investigated were puberty, active reproductive and menopausal. The women in rural Pakistan were married at a very young age and were perceived as sexual objects, therefore their mobility was restricted. This research also found that the reproductive information during puberty was limited to knowledge of menstruation, which was a sign of becoming a 'woman'. In life stage two i.e. the active reproductive stage, women had no prior knowledge of sex and were reluctant to talk about their experiences. Pregnant women are looked after by the elder women, deliveries are at home and the birth of a male child elevates a woman's status. Breastfeeding was also extremely common. Menopause marks the 'senior' status of a woman's life. The research also presents common remedies and knowledge of reproductive health issues that is passed onto other women. The research reveals complex nature of social relations prevalent in Pakistani society where women have very little control over their lives.

Key words: Reproductive Health, Marriage, Puberty, Menstruation, Menopause, Breastfeeding, and Childbirth