Shared Experiences and Reflections on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

Male involvement in sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is increasingly recognized as a crucial factor for improving maternal, neonatal, and family well-being. This paper shares personal, peer, and community experiences from Nepal, highlighting both the benefits and barriers to men’s engagement in SRH. Drawing from lived experience, the author reflects on active participation in family planning, antenatal and postnatal care, and the challenges encountered during pregnancy and childbirth. Peer and community narratives illustrate how a lack of male support, combined with poor infrastructure and sociocultural norms, can delay timely care and increase risks for mothers and newborns. Literature from Nepal and other regions is integrated to contextualize these reflections, underscoring that male involvement enhances decision-making, service utilization, and health outcomes, but remains limited due to stigma, lack of awareness, and systemic constraints. Promoting joint decision-making, education, and inclusive health policies is essential for strengthening reproductive health rights.