She breaks paradigms and leaves a trail

Abstract

This chapter explores midwifery activism in Mexico in the context of social movement theory and advocacy networks. Based upon multiple empirical sources and fieldwork, the chapter discusses the activism of the so-called autonomous midwives, who defend midwifery in the context of a set of human rights as a contested terrain. Hence, the chapter shows the ways in which midwives act as political actors, not only in defending their profession, which certainly forms a significant political dimension in these struggles, but also in the sphere of professional and women’s rights. The chapter argues that the concept of new social movements, which emerged during the 1980s, remains topical in addressing the question of the link between human rights and social movements. It may also serve as a tool to investigate how women engage with political activism. By exploring the reemergence of the autonomous midwives in Mexico from the 1990s onwards, the chapter shows that the notion of autonomy is a key concept in illustrating the collective action of Mexican middle-class midwives and as part of their role in broader women’s movements for human rights. The chapter concludes by outlining different forms of autonomy, understood as both collective and individual self-determination and self-government, running from professional to (personal) bodily and (public) political ones.