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Contradictions of Choice: A policy analysis on the representation of reproductive choice within Rwanda's sexual and reproductive health and rights policies

Gullstrand, Filippa LU (2024) STVK12 20241
Department of Political Science
Abstract (Swedish)
Threats to women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) globally are evident. The framing of SRHR within policy is vital, as it yields value for the advancement of women’s SRHR. While Rwanda has adopted numerous policies on SRHR, many women are yet to experience gains. Through a qualitative single case study this thesis scrutinizes how reproductive choice is represented in Rwanda’s SRHR-policies, and what limitations such representation entail. Carol Bacchi’s “What’s the problem represented to be?” is utilized to perform discourse analysis, and operates both as a methodological approach and a theoretical framework. Reproductive justice is utilized as a theoretical framework, interpreting the findings of this study. This thesis... (More)
Threats to women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) globally are evident. The framing of SRHR within policy is vital, as it yields value for the advancement of women’s SRHR. While Rwanda has adopted numerous policies on SRHR, many women are yet to experience gains. Through a qualitative single case study this thesis scrutinizes how reproductive choice is represented in Rwanda’s SRHR-policies, and what limitations such representation entail. Carol Bacchi’s “What’s the problem represented to be?” is utilized to perform discourse analysis, and operates both as a methodological approach and a theoretical framework. Reproductive justice is utilized as a theoretical framework, interpreting the findings of this study. This thesis identifies four representations, which problematize reproductive choice, and pertain to limited access, lack information and knowledge, deep-rooted social norms, and insufficient innovation and technology. Following such, underlying assumptions perceive women as belonging to one homogeneous group, as responsible actors, and as passive recipients. A fourth assumption identified originates from aspirations concerning development and growth. The limitations of such representation entail those aspects that go unproblematized, namely the notion of viewing women homogeneously, the contradicting nature of framing women as both responsible and passive, as well as the high degree of politicization of SRHR. While women are viewed as homogenous and passive, they are nonetheless also viewed as responsible and as well as valuable for the country’s long-term development trajectory. Such inconsistencies can in itself be seen as an additional limitation. (Less)
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author
Gullstrand, Filippa LU
supervisor
organization
course
STVK12 20241
year
type
M2 - Bachelor Degree
subject
keywords
women, Rwanda, SRHR, policy, WPR-approach, reproductive choice, reproductive justice
language
English
id
9156417
date added to LUP
2024-07-18 13:52:46
date last changed
2024-07-18 13:52:46
@misc{9156417,
  abstract     = {{Threats to women’s sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) globally are evident. The framing of SRHR within policy is vital, as it yields value for the advancement of women’s SRHR. While Rwanda has adopted numerous policies on SRHR, many women are yet to experience gains. Through a qualitative single case study this thesis scrutinizes how reproductive choice is represented in Rwanda’s SRHR-policies, and what limitations such representation entail. Carol Bacchi’s “What’s the problem represented to be?” is utilized to perform discourse analysis, and operates both as a methodological approach and a theoretical framework. Reproductive justice is utilized as a theoretical framework, interpreting the findings of this study. This thesis identifies four representations, which problematize reproductive choice, and pertain to limited access, lack information and knowledge, deep-rooted social norms, and insufficient innovation and technology. Following such, underlying assumptions perceive women as belonging to one homogeneous group, as responsible actors, and as passive recipients. A fourth assumption identified originates from aspirations concerning development and growth. The limitations of such representation entail those aspects that go unproblematized, namely the notion of viewing women homogeneously, the contradicting nature of framing women as both responsible and passive, as well as the high degree of politicization of SRHR. While women are viewed as homogenous and passive, they are nonetheless also viewed as responsible and as well as valuable for the country’s long-term development trajectory. Such inconsistencies can in itself be seen as an additional limitation.}},
  author       = {{Gullstrand, Filippa}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Contradictions of Choice: A policy analysis on the representation of reproductive choice within Rwanda's sexual and reproductive health and rights policies}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}