Reproductive autonomy in sub-Saharan Africa: a scoping review

Billie de Haas, University Of Groningen
Syifasari. Diennabila, Badan Pusat Statistik
Allen Kabagenyi, Makerere University, Institute of Statistics And Applied Economics,

In sub-Saharan Africa desired fertility is often not achieved, instigating studies on reproductive autonomy. However, individual, female-focused conceptualisations of reproductive autonomy tend to neglect the power dynamics both internal and external to a couple that shape a woman’s reproductive autonomy. Furthermore, they disregard the reproductive autonomy of men and couples as a unit of analysis. This scoping review seeks to clarify how the concept of reproductive autonomy has been applied in fertility research in sub-Saharan Africa, including the role of gender and other power dynamics internal and external to couples. The review will be carried out in accordance with the PRISMA extension for Scoping Reviews. Based on the findings, we will propose a holistic framework for studying reproductive autonomy in sub-Saharan Africa geared towards reproductive justice and, thus, accounting for the various power dynamics at play in the reproductive autonomy of couples and individuals.