Background: Reproductive coercion is a form of gender-based violence (GBV) and refers to a range of behaviors that interfere with autonomous decision-making related to contraception and pregnancy. It negatively impacts an individual’s reproductive health and autonomy. Several studies have linked reproductive coercion to intimate partner violence (IPV), unintended pregnancies, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and poor mental health.

Event Recording:

Event Materials:

Complete event slidedeck.

“Introduction to Reproductive Coercion” presentation slides.

Event Overview: The Interagency Gender Working Group’s (IGWG) GBV Task Force hosted an event on Wednesday, August 31 from 8:00-10:00 a.m. EDT focused on exploring the connections between reproductive coercion in the context of intimate and household relationships, IPV, and domestic violence, as well as highlighting reproductive coercion’s impacts on sexual and reproductive health (SRH), particularly family planning and GBV outcomes.

The event served as a forum for stakeholder dialogue and highlighted examples of program and advocacy approaches addressing reproductive coercion that have been successfully integrated into SRH programs, particularly family planning and GBV. It also shared considerations for funders, particularly around the roles they can play to strengthen commitments to prioritize and address reproductive coercion.

This GBV Task Force event began with a presentation providing an overview on the key elements and examples of reproductive coercion, as well as new findings and trends. A panel of expert implementers and researchers then shared key findings and promising practices from and challenges encountered in their programs. The panel discussion was followed by a Q&A session where attendees had the opportunity to pose questions to speakers. Panelists included:

• Hannatu Abdullahi, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health Technical Director, Jhpiego, Nigeria
• Jhumka Gupta (moderator), ScD, MPH, Associate Professor, Department of Global and Community Health, College of Health and Human Services, George Mason University
• Elizabeth Miller, MD, PhD, FSAHM, Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine
• Jane Harriet Namwebya, Senior Implementation Coordinator, Population Council, Kenya
• Fura Gelzen Sherpa, Board Member, Youth Peer (Y-PEER) Educational Network, Nepal
• Jay Silverman, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Global Public Health and Associate Director, Center on Gender Equity and Health (GEH), University of California San Diego School of Medicine