Understanding the issues of women's empowerment and fertility in Bangladesh.

Background: Traditional cultural norms in Bangladesh often restrict women's autonomy to decide and voice their opinions regarding fertility. This study tried to understand how Bangladeshi women's perceptions, views, and experiences regarding women's empowerment (WE) influence their total number of children, desired number of children, birth spacing, and gender preferences.

Methods: A qualitative research design was used to investigate the impact of WE on fertility in Dhaka City. The study conducted seven focus group discussions (FGDs) and twenty-nine in-depth interviews (IDIs) with 93 married women aged 15-49 years. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the study participants, and thematic analysis was conducted to identify key patterns and insights.

Results: The results show that higher levels of Women's empowerment were associated with a preference for smaller family sizes and delayed childbearing. Empowered women exhibit greater self-confidence and independence in expressing opinions and making decisions in both household and societal settings. Economic empowerment enhances women's bargaining power and decision-making capabilities regarding the timing and number of children. However, the prevalent preference for sons still significantly impacts these choices.

Conclusion: The study identified significant sociocultural barriers, including family pressure, gender preference, lack of critical consciousness, and misconceptions about contraceptives that hinder WE toward fertility decisions. Addressing these enduring cultural and societal barriers requires immediate and thorough interventions focused on economic, psychological, and sociocultural empowerment. Increasing autonomy in fertility decision-making is crucial for achieving more equitable reproductive health outcomes.