Feminist realities, transformative possibilities: storytelling in pursuit of reproductive justice in Peru

Abstract

This thesis seeks to address the question, what are feminist activists able to accomplish ‘with their own hands’ when retributive justice and legal reforms are delayed or continue to fail altogether? The thesis explores how the practice of storytelling can contribute to the achievement of reproductive justice in Peru via transformative justice approaches. Reproductive justice includes the right to have children, not have children and to raise children in safe and healthy environments. Feminists and activists actively participate in various modes of storytelling in order to pursue and facilitate reproductive justice in their own communities even while they remain under the oppression of the state. These modes of storytelling include oral testimony, informational resources, creative practices and public protest. The testimonies of feminists and activists from Ayacucho, Cusco and Lima, reveal common goals of the Peruvian feminist movement. This thesis features three key experiences of reproductive injustice: forced sterilisation, criminalisation of abortion and the inaccessibility of parenthood for many LGBTQIA+ people. Consideration is given to the legacy of the forced sterilisation campaign (1996-2000) on the modern feminist movement today. Further reflection is paid to the impacts of the Internal Armed Conflict (1980-2000), and colonialism, particularly on Indigenous Peruvians. This thesis argues that transformative justice approaches, such as storytelling, can advance the pursuit of reproductive justice. This research features the Andean concept of aynikawsay, a Quechua word translating to everyday reciprocity. Aynikawsay is exhibited by feminists and activists in Peru through storytelling practices which assert identity claims, and perhaps most vitally, enact cycles of community mutual care. These practices do not deny nor negate the need for justice to be formalised or protected by the state. Rather, this work illuminates the transformative possibilities of storytelling as an alternative means of achieving reproductive justice amidst the ongoing realities of gender-based violence.

Thesis is embargoed until 31 July 2030.

Date of Award	Jul 2025
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Queen's University Belfast
Supervisor	Fiona Magowan (Supervisor) & Evi Chatzipanagiotidou (Supervisor)