Reproductive Justice
Policy, Global Health and Religion
Mercy Ajuonu, Antoinette Spillers & Ashlyn W. Strozier
Students are enrolled in either Public Policy, Religion, and Global Health.
Introduction
This research project was created to analyze reproductive
justice through the lens of religion, global health, and
public policy. The aim of the group is to analyze the
reproductive choices using the intersections of public
policy, global health, and religion. In addition, to
researching reproductive justice through these various
lens, we seek to analyze people’s interest and knowledge
of reproductive justice issues and the trends. Reproductive
justice is a social movement so the research involves
engaging women on campus to increase knowledge and
awareness. The project was composed of three cycles, all
included traditional and ethnographic research. We seek to
use research and scholarship as a form of activism.
Research Question
How does religion, public policy, and public health affect
reproductive choices?
METHODS
Cycle 1: Collection
1)Roundtables
2)Collecting Research Materials : Books/Articles
Cycle 2 : Reviewing & Reading
1)Lecture Dr. Dionne Bensonsmith
2) Researching for Emerging Issues
Cycle 3: Emerging Issues Research Focus
1)Developing Focus Groups Questions
2) Conducting Focus Groups
Surrogacy: Global Phenomenon & Ethics of Abortion: Hyde
Amendment
Results
Roundtable Discussion
Public Health
 The impact of health policy on abortion and choice of sexuality -reproductive
rights of women
 The health implications or negative effects of birth control as the alternative to
abortion policy (policing the national body
 Classism: Private vs public health care access
Religion
Faith influences the decisions and choices women make regarding their
reproductive rights.
-Pregnancy designed by God, Not impacted ALL by science
-Choice is given by God so ALL should have free will.
Dignity, Negative effects
What or who is human?
The church taught only females “Don’t have sex”, mom “don’t be pregnant”.
Is it ethical to have abortion rather than adopt in an “unhealthy environment”?
Catholicism: Practicing and not practicing; belief vs Practice –Do not match.
Public Policy
There’s a lack of policy awareness regarding reproductive justice issues.
Policy has been used to policing women’s bodies.
Women’s rights is based upon society transformation of the workplace.
Social justice issues become mixed up with other social justice issues, such as
Black Lives Matter movement and abortions. Policy addressing global health
issues –Adoption policy
Policy tend to focus on the extreme issues such as abortion.
One major impact of the Affordable Care Act regarding reproductive justices
was access to free birth controls
Focus Groups
Intersections for Surrogacy
Shows how intertwined religion and culture: 1) need to procreate and 2) use
people who are economically disadvantage
Theological acceptance of God will…..theological views of accept how God
made you without feeling inferior…. I agree…it is damaging views life one path
not empower to begin
Start to question teaching of society and faith communities. Her sister offered
help as surrogacy.
Opposite of having children first….we are not letting people chose their own
path by saying they are missing out.
Now driven by culture of importance of appearance and not altering one’s body
This agreement does not have plural but singular between one person male or
female
www.PosterPresentations.com
*These are recorded responses from focus group.
*These are recorded responses.
FOCUS GROUPS DEFINED SURROGACY:
*These are recorded responses from focus group.
Agreement between a person with a health reproductive system and group or a
person who are unable to naturally reproduce
RESEARCH POSTER PRESENTATION DESIGN © 2012
Results Continued……….
Ladies involved in the focus groups watched a portion of the
documentary “Rent-A-Womb.”
This documentary documents India’s rapidly growing surrogate
industry.
Policing women’s bodies—who has the right the tell a woman about
her choices?
Never thought of it as sex work---because of agency
Can’t compare it to sex work. The body is being used but the woman
has agreed to be a surrogate.
Globally: 1) good end to both surrogate and family
2) can be exploitative but economically empowering,
ethically good… what is the detriment in it becoming a trend.
3) bias in journalism ( treatment – trigger words)
Focus Group Abortion : Hyde Amendment
Forces people to have a child /ren, increases illegal
abortions and may promote criminal behavior…
Economists link crime to reproductive rights.
Lack of information among low income is problematic
Right to abortion but don’t know how to pay for it….
Cheaper than caring for a child to mother and father who are
not economical prepared.
Yes government should pay for abortions and birth control.
Yes, we pay for government programs aiding single mothers-- fund birth controls first and put condoms in restrooms.
Conclusions
•
Institutions are shaping women’s reproductive realities. Women are being
consciously and unconsciously affected by lawmakers, religious leaders
and health professionals.
•
We used an intersectional approach to exploring reproductive justice. Our
research urges researcher, advocates, activists, lawmakers, and larger
society.
•
Many of these decisions are made with out facts but information from
their mothers and women around them.
•
This is a developing topic, so this project was one of discovery. We are
offering preliminary themes and observations from this short project.
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Acknowledgments
Thank you to all the participants, you time and thoughts were priceless.
Thank you the Claremont Graduate University and its transdisciplinary
emphasis. Special thanks to Laura Schlosberg for all of your help.