This MA thesis examines the decision-making capacity of young women married during adolescence within the context of their sexual and reproductive health in an urban ghetto in the city of Ahmedabad, India. Specifically, the development literature on married female adolescents (MFAs) is characterized by negative health indicators such as higher rates of unwanted pregnancies, reproductive tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, high infant and maternal mortality and morbidity coupled with the phenomenon of early marriage, poverty and an overall lower social status. The result is a disempowering discourse that constructs and presents them as powerless victims who lack any decision-making capacity and are perpetually oppressed. This research is an effort to move the discussions of “Other third world women” outside the realm of victimization by challenging and destabilizing this disempowering, hegemonic discourse. We must ask what does decision making look like for these women, as exercised within the context of their sexual and reproductive health. This qualitative analysis is informed by primary research through focus groups and semi-structured interviews with young married women, and was conducted with the help of a local NGO, Mahila Patchwork Co-operative Society. The study provides insights on the young married women’s participation and role in determining their own health outcomes (negative and positive) to better inform programs and services offered by the community NGOs.

This MA thesis examines the decision-making capacity of young women married during adolescence within the context of their sexual and reproductive health in an urban ghetto in the city of Ahmedabad, India. Specifically, the development literature on married female adolescents (MFAs) is characterized by negative health indicators such as higher rates of unwanted pregnancies, reproductive tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, high infant and maternal mortality and morbidity coupled with the phenomenon of early marriage, poverty and an overall lower social status. The result is a disempowering discourse that constructs and presents them as powerless victims who lack any decision-making capacity and are perpetually oppressed. This research is an effort to move the discussions of “Other third world women” outside the realm of victimization by challenging and destabilizing this disempowering, hegemonic discourse. We must ask what does decision making look like for these women, as exercised within the context of their sexual and reproductive health. This qualitative analysis is informed by primary research through focus groups and semi-structured interviews with young married women, and was conducted with the help of a local NGO, Mahila Patchwork Co-operative Society. The study provides insights on the young married women’s participation and role in determining their own health outcomes (negative and positive) to better inform programs and services offered by the community NGOs.

This MA thesis examines the decision-making capacity of young women married during adolescence within the context of their sexual and reproductive health in an urban ghetto in the city of Ahmedabad, India. Specifically, the development literature on married female adolescents (MFAs) is characterized by negative health indicators such as higher rates of unwanted pregnancies, reproductive tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, high infant and maternal mortality and morbidity coupled with the phenomenon of early marriage, poverty and an overall lower social status. The result is a disempowering discourse that constructs and presents them as powerless victims who lack any decision-making capacity and are perpetually oppressed. This research is an effort to move the discussions of “Other third world women” outside the realm of victimization by challenging and destabilizing this disempowering, hegemonic discourse. We must ask what does decision making look like for these women, as exercised within the context of their sexual and reproductive health. This qualitative analysis is informed by primary research through focus groups and semi-structured interviews with young married women, and was conducted with the help of a local NGO, Mahila Patchwork Co-operative Society. The study provides insights on the young married women’s participation and role in determining their own health outcomes (negative and positive) to better inform programs and services offered by the community NGOs.

This MA thesis examines the decision-making capacity of young women married during adolescence within the context of their sexual and reproductive health in an urban ghetto in the city of Ahmedabad, India. Specifically, the development literature on married female adolescents (MFAs) is characterized by negative health indicators such as higher rates of unwanted pregnancies, reproductive tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, high infant and maternal mortality and morbidity coupled with the phenomenon of early marriage, poverty and an overall lower social status. The result is a disempowering discourse that constructs and presents them as powerless victims who lack any decision-making capacity and are perpetually oppressed. This research is an effort to move the discussions of “Other third world women” outside the realm of victimization by challenging and destabilizing this disempowering, hegemonic discourse. We must ask what does decision making look like for these women, as exercised within the context of their sexual and reproductive health. This qualitative analysis is informed by primary research through focus groups and semi-structured interviews with young married women, and was conducted with the help of a local NGO, Mahila Patchwork Co-operative Society. The study provides insights on the young married women’s participation and role in determining their own health outcomes (negative and positive) to better inform programs and services offered by the community NGOs.

Cette recherche se concentre sur les inégalités de genre rencontrées par les jeunes femmes chrétiennes mariées au Liban lors de leur transition vers l'âge adulte. L'objectif de cette étude est de comprendre les mécanismes qui contribuent à l'imposition de limites professionnelles à ces femmes, malgré leur niveau d'éducation et leurs qualifications. Le premier volet de la recherche explore les transformations de la famille, les évolutions du marché de l'emploi et la place des femmes au Liban. Bien que le pays ait connu des avancées positives en termes d'égalité des sexes et d'autonomisation des femmes par rapport à d'autres pays arabes, certaines restrictions persistent en raison de facteurs tels que la religion, les conflits régionaux, le système économique et une structure légale fondée sur un système patriarcal et conservateur. Cette recherche met en évidence le caractère genré de la transition à l’âge adulte et son impact spécifique sur les femmes libanaises. La question de la transition vers l’âge adulte y est abordée à travers les travaux d’Olivier Galland. Les expériences vécues par les femmes, quant à elles, sont approfondies au moyen de perspectives féministes. Les parents continuent d'exercer une influence sur les choix de vie et les orientations professionnelles de leurs enfants, même après leur départ du foyer, ce qui peut limiter leur autonomie et entraîner des tensions familiales. La méthodologie adoptée repose sur une approche qualitative. Des entretiens semi-dirigés ont été réalisés avec des travailleuses libanaises qui sont mariées et mères, ayant des enfants, afin de recueillir des données pour l'analyse. Les résultats de ces entretiens mettent de l’avant les attentes contradictoires des parents. Ceux-ci ont tendance à inciter leurs filles à adopter un mode de vie traditionnel et, à la fois, à soutenir leurs ambitions professionnelles. Le rôle clé qu’adoptent les mères des participantes dans la possibilité qu’ont les femmes libanaises de concilier travail, responsabilités familiales et foyer est également mis en évidence. Malgré l'opposition de la société traditionnelle, les femmes libanaises manifestent toujours une volonté de travailler et les conjoints témoignent d'un soutien envers leurs épouses. / This research focuses on gender inequalities faced by young married women in Lebanon during their transition to adulthood. The objective of this study is to understand the mechanisms that contribute to the imposition of professional limitations on these women, despite their level of education and their qualifications. The first aspect of the research explores family transformations, changes in the job market, and the position of women in Lebanon. While the country has made positive advancements in terms of gender equality and women's empowerment compared to other Arab countries, certain restrictions persist due to factors such as religion, regional conflicts, the economic system, and a legal structure based on a patriarchal and conservative system. This research highlights the gendered nature of the transition to adulthood and its specific impact on Lebanese women. It relies on the one hand, on the work of Olivier Galland to analyze the transition and, on the other hand, it integrates feminist perspectives to deepen the understanding of the experiences lived by these women. Parents continue to exert influence over their children's lifestyle choices and career paths, even after they have left home, which can limit their autonomy and lead to family tensions. The adopted methodology relies on a qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with married Lebanese women who are also working and have children, in order to gather data for analysis. The results underscore the contradiction between parents' encouragement to adopt a traditional lifestyle and their support for married, working women. The pivotal role of the participants' mothers in enabling Lebanese women to balance work, family responsibilities, and the household is also highlighted. Despite societal opposition, Lebanese women continue to express a willingness to work, and modern spouses demonstrate support for their wives.