Inhibitions to sexual and reproductive care of Somali immigrant women living in the United States of America and South Africa: A postcolonial feminist theory reflection
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Date
2024
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Adonis & Abbey Publishers Ltd.
Abstract
In the era of increased migration of women across the world, the sociology of gender literature in South Africa seems to have paid less attention to structural inhibitions to women’s access to sexual and reproductive care. This paper attempts to add to the literature through a comparative analysis of Somali women’s experiences in South Africa and the United States. Drawing on a desktop comparative analysis of studies conducted between 2010 and 2022 on Somalia women’s access to sexual and reproductive care, the paper delves into a nuanced discussion of the complex interplay of cultural norms and socio-political frameworks in the host communities in the shaping of diaspora women’s experiences of sexual and reproductive care. The study’s main argument is that even though the conceptualisation of health itself starts with cultural and religious ideologies from home countries and, as such, provides the background upon which what is needed is formulated, women’s interest in sexual and reproductive care is reformed and often navigated along structural barriers present, as the women navigate the host countries’ healthcare systems in diaspora communities. Based on this, the paper recommends that host countries consider the specific healthcare needs of different immigrant women through the provision of necessary support that assists them in easily settling in the host countries.
Description
Keywords
Postcolonial feminist theory, Sexual and reproductive health, Somali women, South Africa, United States of America
Citation
Iyi, L.E. and Amaechi, K.E., 2024. Inhibitions to Sexual and Reproductive Care of Somali Immigrant Women Living in the United States of America and South Africa: A Postcolonial Feminist Theory Reflection. Journal of Somali Studies: Research on Somalia and the Greater Horn of African Countries, 11(2), pp.153-177.