Access to Health Care and Family Planning in Swaziland

This article investigates the legal aspects of women's access to health care and family planning in Swaziland. First, the background to health care and family planning is discussed, including health care facilities that are available, the extent of contraceptive use and attitudes toward contraceptives, the problem of backstreet or unauthorized abortions, and sterilization for medical reasons and for fertility regulation. Next, the legal aspects are discussed, with an emphasis on the ambiguity of the law that arises partially because of the dual nature of Swaziland's legal system, which integrates customary and common law. It is concluded that the ambiguity of the law-and the divergence of law and practice in those areas where the law is relatively certain-affect women's health adversely by restricting their access to health and family planning. Finally, the question is raised as to whether legislative intervention is possible in a society molded by strong traditions that reflect disapproval of modern contraceptive methods. Laws that relate to access to health care and contraceptives are particularly important in developing countries, where health problems are often more severe and health care less available than in the developed world. Laws regulating women's access to health care are critical, because of women's reproductive and productive functions in these societies. Because women's access to health care is important to the health of the family, to women's employment opportunities, to women's financial situation, and to population control, these laws are also important to the welfare and development of the country as a whole. Development projects that seek to improve and expand existing health care facilities and increase women's access to health care and contraceptives may be hampered either by a lack of knowledge about the law or by laws and customs that influence or restrict their efforts. Therefore, it is extremely important that such laws be analyzed and information be made public both within developing countries and internationally. The goal of this article is to contribute to the existing body of information on health law in developing countries by examining the laws in Swaziland that influence women's access to health care, including general health care, contraception, abortion, and sterilization

Developing country · Economic growth · Economics · Environmental health · Family planning · Health care · Political science · Population · Research methodology · Global Maternal and Child Health · Health Services Management and Policy · Healthcare Policy and Management · Law · Medicine

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