ABSTRACT
This chapter presents the data analysis of participants’ experiences of enrolling female participants, the issue of co-consent and the ethical challenges of conducting research relating to women’s health and, in particular, intimate and domestic partner violence, and women’s sexual health and sexual experience. It presents an analysis of some of these practical challenges and views. Several participants in Iran mentioned that the Iranian understanding of the role and status of women was distinct to that in other parts of the Muslim world, particularly the Arab states. Although women occupy the highest positions in office in both of Malaysia and Iran countries, there is a lack of clarity about what the “Islamic” understanding is in relation to the role and status of women. The author data analysis shows that researchers and REC members, particularly women, are seeking to challenge the former interpretations and traditional gender roles that they think may impact women’s ability to access healthcare and participate in biomedical research.
