Contesting Structural Vulnerability through Reproductive Justice Activism with Latina Immigrants in California

Abstract

AbstractLatina migrant women in California in the post 9/11 era experience structural vulnerability that extends beyond their undocumented status, residence in poor neighborhoods with gangs, employment in informal sector jobs to their reproductive bodies. Although unauthorized women may access prenatal health, often they are intimidated or are unaware, and face many barriers to accessing reproductive health related to language, transportation, or their low incomes and their ignorance about their bodies. Research on those migrants who do access reproductive health illustrates they experience subjectification in U.S. institutions and neglect and even obstetric violence in Mexican institutions. In this transnational context, the nonprofit organization, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice, has organized an Instituto de Autonomía y Justicia with outreach to Spanish‐speaking Latina migrants. I argue that through health literacy training within a reproductive justice framework that weaves intersectionality and human rights, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice engages in the “feminist politics of translation.” They produce locally situated knowledge and pedagogies sensitive to the complexities of migrant Latinas’ lives. The diverse Latina participants begin a consciousness raising process that leads them to explore their own health practice and participate in policy advocacy for their communities. My analysis is based on ethnographic research that includes participant observation and interviews.