Gender and Sexuality

Gender and sexuality heavily impact people’s reproductive health experiences and outcomes.  Although strides have been made in recent years, gender inequality remains a major determinant of sexual and reproductive health outcomes for girls and women.  ANSIRH research examines the impacts of gender-based power and gender norms on contraceptive use, pregnancy, abortion, and childbearing, and the opposite - how reproductive health practices and behavior can impact power and autonomy. For a review of measures on gender autonomy, see our Database of Gender Empowerment Measures.

Our research also touches on how reproductive health intersects with sexuality. People who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer (LGBTQ) face unique challenges to achieving sexual and reproductive autonomy and well-being. We investigate how reproductive health services can be made more available and welcoming for LGBTQ people.