Page 37 - S. Ličen, I. Karnjuš, & M. Prosen (Eds.). (2019). Women, migrations and health: Ensuring transcultural healthcare. Koper, University of Primorska Press.
P. 37
Reproductive Health of Migrant Women
in Slovenia: State of the Art
Blaž Lenarčič
Science and Research Centre Koper, Slovenia
blaz.lenarcic@zrs-kp.si
Mateja Sedmak
Science and Research Centre Koper, Slovenia
mateja.sedmak@zrs-kp.si
The chapter presents the state of the art in the area of reproductive health
of migrant women in Slovenia. At the beginning authors presents the demo-
graphic and socio-economic characteristics of migrant women, a review of
national legislation regulating the area of reproductive health (for migrant
women), a review of scientific literature and research dealing with the issue
and a presentation of existing best practices. Data on the number of migrant
women in Slovenia show that their number is constantly increasing (a six-fold
increase between 1995 and 2016) and it is expected that it will be even higher
in the future while at the same time a comprehensive and systematic approach
to reproductive health in relation to migrant women is missing. The literature
review and best practices overview indicate that the first and the most urgent
step towards improvement of the situation in this area would be to educate
health providers interculturally in order that they can recognize reproductive
health norms and practices within different cultural contexts. This would allow
them to provide culturally safe medical care, health education, and health pro-
motion, and finally increase access to reproductive health for migrant women.
Introduction
The United Nations Guidelines on Reproductive Health (United Nations Pop-
ulation Information Network, 1994) characterize reproductive health as a
state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the
absence of reproductive disease or infirmity. Furthermore, they highlight
that reproductive health is an important component of general health and
a prerequisite for an individual’s social, economic and human development.
In spite of the wide international adoption of norms and standards for the
universal right to health, and reproductive health as an inseparable part of
that, there remain significant gaps in access for certain groups of individuals.
One such group is migrant women, who frequently confront specific chal-
lenges in this field. There is a general consensus that migrant women are an
35
in Slovenia: State of the Art
Blaž Lenarčič
Science and Research Centre Koper, Slovenia
blaz.lenarcic@zrs-kp.si
Mateja Sedmak
Science and Research Centre Koper, Slovenia
mateja.sedmak@zrs-kp.si
The chapter presents the state of the art in the area of reproductive health
of migrant women in Slovenia. At the beginning authors presents the demo-
graphic and socio-economic characteristics of migrant women, a review of
national legislation regulating the area of reproductive health (for migrant
women), a review of scientific literature and research dealing with the issue
and a presentation of existing best practices. Data on the number of migrant
women in Slovenia show that their number is constantly increasing (a six-fold
increase between 1995 and 2016) and it is expected that it will be even higher
in the future while at the same time a comprehensive and systematic approach
to reproductive health in relation to migrant women is missing. The literature
review and best practices overview indicate that the first and the most urgent
step towards improvement of the situation in this area would be to educate
health providers interculturally in order that they can recognize reproductive
health norms and practices within different cultural contexts. This would allow
them to provide culturally safe medical care, health education, and health pro-
motion, and finally increase access to reproductive health for migrant women.
Introduction
The United Nations Guidelines on Reproductive Health (United Nations Pop-
ulation Information Network, 1994) characterize reproductive health as a
state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the
absence of reproductive disease or infirmity. Furthermore, they highlight
that reproductive health is an important component of general health and
a prerequisite for an individual’s social, economic and human development.
In spite of the wide international adoption of norms and standards for the
universal right to health, and reproductive health as an inseparable part of
that, there remain significant gaps in access for certain groups of individuals.
One such group is migrant women, who frequently confront specific chal-
lenges in this field. There is a general consensus that migrant women are an
35
