Abstract:
Family planning is defined as the use of various methods of fertility control that will help
individuals or couples to have the number of children they desire and at a planned time interval
in order to ascertain the well-being of the children, parents and communities at large.
Objective: To explore influence of gender norms on family planning decision- making among
married men and women, in Jeldu Woreda rural Kebeles, west Shewa 2012/13.
Methods: A Qualitative study with grounded theory design was employed. Data collection was
done using a semi-structured interview guide with open-ended questions. The methods employed
were in-depth interview and focus group discussions. Data analysis was begun with transcription.
Transcripts were coded using Atlas.ti-7 Software using thematic analysis.
Result
Different gender norms in the community were obstacles for family planning utilization in the
community. Those gender norms directly or by complement with each other acts as the barriers
of FP utilizations. Decision making power of men/husbands on family planning (needs for his
consent by women/wives), seeing children as social prestige due to cultural beliefs, low status of
women in community, undermining knowledge of women, limiting responsibility of
women/wives to home, dominance of men/husbands on households, etc are affects directly or by
complement with each other the family planning decision making among married men and
women.
Conclusion
Decision making power of men/husbands on family planning (needs for his consent by
women/wives), seeing children as social prestige due to cultural beliefs, low status of women in
community, undermining knowledge of women, limiting responsibility of women/wives to
home, dominance of men/husbands on households, etc are affects directly or by complement
with each other the family planning decision making among married men and women.
From the study the coupe communication on issue of RH and family planning was not common
even though they are communicate on other issue of their life, no consideration was given for
issue of RH and FP. Due to men dominance at house level and other related factors roles of
women on family planning decision making was limited to accept the idea of their husband.
Furthermore due to men‘s power of decision making it was finalized based on the interest of
men/husband.
