Testing the impact of gender equality on reproductive health: An analysis of developing countries

This paper proposes a conceptual framework to explore the impact of gender equality on women’s reproductive health with economic and political development as background factors. The data for the study are obtained from 136 developing countries. Structural equation analysis is used to test the hypotheses. The proposed model of women’s reproductive health is basically supported by the empirical findings from the developing countries. First, the findings underscore the proposition that gender equality has a pivotal role to play in the promotion of women’s reproductive health. The second finding points to the importance of economic development in predicating women’s reproductive health. Finally, a positive and statistically significant relationship is found between economic development and gender equality. The results reinforce the Cairo Program of Action that women’s reproductive health is contingent upon development policies and gender equality in society. © 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.