Emotions, Empowerment, and Reproductive Justice: Global Perspectives

Abstract

Recent global events, such as the landmark Roe v. Wade decision in the United States and the articulation of the essential human right to reproductive integrity and self-determination at the UN Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, emphasize the enduring relevance of reproductive justice issues worldwide. These events underscore the critical need for a comprehensive understanding of the current dynamics within liberal democratic societies, necessitating an open exploration of various aspects of navigating reproductive justice, including empowerment, conflict, and competing knowledge frameworks. At the core of this dynamic lies the foundational principle of self-determination, empowering individuals to shape collective actions through autonomy, diversity, and protest. This principle significantly influences political decisions, particularly within the realms of reproductive discourse. Discussions around reproductive rights, including topics like abortion, birth, family choices, and others, underscore the need for a nuanced exploration of the intricate interplay between emotions, empowerment, and knowledge frameworks mobilized in political debates. This panel thus takes an analytical focus on the role of emotions in public debates surrounding reproductive rights. Recognizing that a comprehensive understanding of the current dynamics within liberal democratic societies requires an open exploration of various aspects of navigating reproductive justice, including empowerment, conflict, and competing knowledge frameworks, the panel delves into the complex relationship between individual autonomy and collective action. Especially in the global context of reproductive rights, the panel aims to provide a deeper insight into the multifaceted nature of the topic. In doing so, it seeks to contribute to a broader and more inclusive understanding of the challenges and nuances surrounding empowerment in the context of contemporary reproductive rights on a global scale.

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