Reproductive Autonomy and Gender Norms: A Study of Partner Communication among Urban Women in India

Communication between the couple is crucial for reproductive health, particularly regarding contraceptive use, sexual negotiation, and childbearing decisions. In India, despite wider access to contraception and rising health awareness, patriarchal norms continue to limit women’s reproductive autonomy. This study explores partner communication and reproductive decision-making among 50 married urban women aged 18–32 years in Delhi. Data were collected through structured face-to-face interviews covering demographic details, contraceptive discussions, sexual negotiation, and childbearing preferences. Analysis combined descriptive statistics with thematic insights. Findings reveal mixed communication patterns: half the women found it easy to discuss contraception, yet many struggled to negotiate sexual consent or refuse intercourse. Childbearing decisions were largely male-dominated, though some participants supported joint decision-making and wider birth spacing. The study underscores persistent gendered power imbalances and calls for couple-focused counseling, cultural sensitization, and male engagement to promote equitable reproductive health decisions.