Aashi Sahu, Anshim, Ritika Jindal, Swastika Kar

Abstract

This paper attempts to investigate the gap between reproductive health policies in India and their
grassroots implementation. Special focus is given to marginalized women, mainly those from Dalit
and tribal backgrounds. Although there are various legal frameworks such as the Janani Suraksha
Yojana (JSY) and the Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Act amendments, deep rooted
impediments continue to restrict women’s access to sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR).
Most mainstream literature focuses on service outreach metrics but fails to look into the
intersectional realities of caste, class, age, and geography in health-system interactions.
Methodologically, this paper builds on the qualitative approach with content analysis of policy
documents, review of secondary data, and semi-structured interviews with women. Alongside, this
paper explores the lacuna in SRHR. Primary focus is given to institutional bias, provider’s attitudes,
and lack of infrastructure that result in denial or delay of services. Emphasizing lived experiences
and examining the state’s accountability in ensuring bodily autonomy, the research aims to offer a
nuanced critique of India’s reproductive health landscape. The paper concludes with policy
recommendations targeting both structural reforms and sensitization frameworks to make
reproductive rights meaningfully accessible to marginalized women.