In my final project, I am using the feminist theory to examine the maternal mortality issue in Guatemala. It is a serious issue that affects women and by using the feminist theory, it will show the subordinacy of females, especially intersectional females in Guatemala by looking at the lack of access and opportunity for education and healthcare services. Feminist theory focuses on the importance of gender defining the difference in circumstance and the sole role that gender plays in aspects of their life (Feminist Theory, 2019).
Feminist anthropology has had multiple movements. The first wave started in the 1850’s was attempting to include women in a male-dominated area at the time, which was ethnography. There was little ethnographic information on women, while male informants transmitted information through male ethnographers. The second wave starting in the 1920’s separating the notions of sex and gender and also rejected the concept of inherent dichotomies. The third and current wave started in the 1980’s focusing less on the divide of female and male, and more on the greater variabilities among females, such as age, status, ethnicity, etc. (Dominguez et al., 2017). This third wave was brought about when many individuals from ethnic minorities criticized the idea because it secluded and ignored the intersectional inequalities others face (Dominguez et al, 2017). The third idea particularly relates to Guatemala where there is inequality amongst women in ethnicity. The indigenous people in Guatemala, especially women, are more likely to face social exclusion (UN Women). In the year 2000, the maternal mortality rate of indigenous mothers is much higher than the rate of non-indigenous women in Guatemala.
Feminist theory is an exceptional choice in using to examine the issue of maternal mortality in Guatemala for numerous reasons. The blatant acts of inequality between the genders and the intersectionality of Guatemalan females poses as risk factors for the prospective mother. Gender inequality is prevalent and one of the examples is shown by the control put over women’s lives by their husbands. According to a study, 58.9% of women were reported to have to ask for permission to use contraceptives (UN Women). There are several intersectional inequalities faced as access to basic healthcare depends on status and region. Usually, indigenous women are more at a loss when it comes to basic healthcare access. Non-indigenous women are more likely to have a skilled birth attendant present in their child’s birth than an indigenous woman (UN Women). The lack of education is a factor in unawareness and therefore risk in basic health-related issues. Girls are more likely to drop out of school than boys are. Age also plays a factor where teen and adolescent pregnancy is extremely prevalent in this society. About one in every five children in Guatemala are born to mothers aged 15-19 (Lemon et al., 2017). Pregnancy achieved in the teenage years poses more overall health, social, and economic risks for the mother (Lemon et al., 2017). In using the feminist approach, further research can be done to examine the multiple anti-feminist factors that increase the risk of maternal mortality. These factors contribute to maternal mortality in the fact that many factors thought of being important in total inclusion and was rallied by the ethnic minorities brought on by the third wave of the feminist anthropological theory are similar factors that limit women in their overall safety, freedom, and wellbeing. The feminist theory looks at aspects in relating directly to gender and the health issue discussed is in close relation with it.
Dominguez, Johnna, et al. “Feminist Anthropology.” The University of Alabama: Department of Anthropology, 24 Apr. 2017, anthropology.ua.edu/theory/feminist-anthropology/.
“Guatemala.” UN Women | Americas and the Caribbean, lac.unwomen.org/en/donde-estamos/guatemala.
Introducing Theory 5: Feminist Theory. Week 1 Lecture, 2019. Department of Anthropology, Michigan State University. https://anthropology.msu.edu/anp270-us19/lecture-videos/feminist-theory/.
Lemon, Emily, et al. “Pathways to Adolescent Childbearing Among Kaqchikel Women in Guatemala.” Journal of Culture, Health & Sexuality, 20 March 2017, https://www-tandfonline-com.proxy1.cl.msu.edu/doi/full/10.1080/13691058.2017.1298841.