Ibis Reproductive Health

Exploring emerging reproductive health technologies in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA)

The development of new reproductive health technologies, such as medication abortion, emergency contraception, in vitro fertilization, and hymenoplasty, provides the opportunity to more comprehensively address the reproductive health needs and priorities of women and men worldwide. Yet, these new technologies are far from neutral; religious, cultural, social, and legal contexts and values structure and condition the global transfer of reproductive health technologies. From 2003 to 2006, we organized a working group of academics, researchers, journalists, and practitioners and created an interdisciplinary forum to discuss the socio-cultural, religious, public health, economic, and political impact of introducing new reproductive technologies. We are now preparing an edited volume that explores the complexities surrounding the introduction and appropriation of emerging reproductive health technologies in the Middle East and North Africa region, situates medication abortion within these broader debates, and furthers our aim of mainstreaming abortion into reproductive health more generally.

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