However, fertility, which is a commonly used measure in composite gender equality measures (see, for example, the UNDP’s Gender Inequality Index), is excluded as it provides only an indirect indication of women’s position. In doing this, the chapter follows, amongst others, Donno and Russet (2004: 588) who argue that although low fertility may be indicative of the degree of female reproductive rights, it may also “reflect coercive population policies enforced on women”. First, there is the very basic issue of women’s health.