Inequity in fishing community: Study on maternal and reproductive health

Health status has become an important component of human development measure. A healthy woman means a healthy family that leads to a healthy society and ultimately a healthy nation. The paper builds on the study of maternal and reproductive health of fisherwomen of district Srinagar and Bandipora. The investigation was aimed at not only studying their maternal and reproductive health but also drawing a comparison between the health status of fisherwomen in rural and urban areas. The statistical population of this research constituted of 200 fisherwomen within the age group of 15–50 years. The main instrument of study was an interview schedule that confirmed validity by a panel of experts. It was revealed during the investigation that the respondent awareness level regarding the importance of mental and reproductive health was very less. Sharing of major work load in fishing and at home, poverty, less attention towards health, illiteracy, poor living standard, government apathy towards this disadvantaged section of the society were few reasons for their neglected reproductive and maternal health. However, the study also revealed that fisherwomen in urban areas though not up to the desired level but in comparison to their counterparts in rural areas availed better facilities to maintain their maternal health and sexual health. The acquired data was analyzed by using SPSS (Statistical Packages for Social Science). The study has finally suggested the pathways to enhance the maternal and reproductive health of the fisherwomen in whole of the valley in general and women in these districts in particular.