(Re)signifying Abortion: 10 Years After the Voluntary Termination of Pregnancy Law in Uruguay
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Abstract
Between 2002 and 2012, Uruguay implemented a series of laws to safeguard sexual and reproductive rights, notably including Law No. 18,987 on the Voluntary Interruption of Pregnancy. This law emerged from public debate and relentless activism by feminist and women’s rights organizations. As a social construct, it serves as a significant agent in shaping and solidifying the frameworks through which abortion and other social phenomena are understood. Drawing on Balkin’s perspective, law functions as a tool for comprehending oneself, others, and the surrounding world. This dynamic and reciprocal process sees individuals engaging with, avoiding, or resisting legal norms and meanings. This article utilizes qualitative data from interviews with key informants, surveys on abortion access trajectories in Uruguay, and archival materials from the Contá Conmigo project. It explores the diverse ways participants engage with the law, challenging its exclusive authority to define meanings through alternative ways of feeling, understanding, and organizing around the issue of abortion.
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