Crafting narratives for change: building networks between feminist researchers and activists for advocacy for safe abortion in Latin America

This project aims to strengthen collaboration between feminist researchers and activists about advocacy for safe abortion in Bolivia and Ecuador, and to develop research capacity on the topic.

The research questions are: i) how do feminist organizations in Bolivia and Ecuador mobilize and advocate for safe abortion? and ii) how can advocacy for safe abortion be strengthened?The tasks will be undertaken by building upon the theoretical and methodological concept of ‘narrative production’ through engagement with diverse feminist organizations in: i) co-constructing narratives through meetings with four to six feminist organizations in each country; ii) collectively discussing through national workshops, and iii) working together with these feminist organizations for advocacy and network creation.

We will hold research meetings in each of the countries.

The project will finish with a joint workshop in Bolivia, to which researchers and activists from other countries will also be invited. This collaboration centres around six researchers working in five research institutions in Bolivia, Ecuador and Sweden.

This project will lay the foundation for developing larger research proposals and engage additional countries in Latin America.

Knowledge production and network strengthening will contribute to improving women’s sexual and reproductive rights in a region where restrictive legislation currently hinders access to safe abortion and endangers lives and wellbeing.