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"We are humans, not animals" Obstetric Violence in Kosovo: An Intersectional Analysis of Women’s Responses to Obstetric Violence

Morina, Diana LU (2022) SIMZ21 20221
Graduate School
Abstract
This study explores different modalities of agency that birthing women in
Kosovo express when met with a high threat of obstetric violence and structural
constraints. Specifically, this study identifies the strategies and tactics women
employ during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum to avoid and minimise the
risk of obstetric violence in public and private health settings. Moreover, this study examines the intersections between and across multiple identity markers and
backgrounds of the birthing women and how they shape their strategies and tactics.
The results emphasize that obstetric violence is present in Kosovo, especially in
public sector settings, and it assumes multiple forms. Simultaneously, obstetric
violence... (More)
This study explores different modalities of agency that birthing women in
Kosovo express when met with a high threat of obstetric violence and structural
constraints. Specifically, this study identifies the strategies and tactics women
employ during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum to avoid and minimise the
risk of obstetric violence in public and private health settings. Moreover, this study examines the intersections between and across multiple identity markers and
backgrounds of the birthing women and how they shape their strategies and tactics.
The results emphasize that obstetric violence is present in Kosovo, especially in
public sector settings, and it assumes multiple forms. Simultaneously, obstetric
violence in this study site is undergirded by broader factors such as patriarchal
norms embedded at all levels of society, commodification of healthcare, and informality. This study shows that women employ multiple strategies and tactics to
avoid and minimise obstetric violence. The most utilised strategies by women are
(a) purchasing obstetric care in the private sector and (b) informal practices, while the most utilised tactics are (a) performance of docility and (b) performance of resistance. In this study, I argue that the intersections of women’s identities and backgrounds shape their choices of strategies and tactics and their “success.” These agentic actions vis-à-vis strategies and tactics that women employ take the form of complicity and resistance, however, they represent a strong expression of agency (Avishai, 2016). While the agentic actions of women might uphold the current
oppressive structures, women use the space to bargain with the system and
maximize their security, avoid, and minimise obstetric violence (Kandiyoti, 1988).
Hence, this study argues that even in such a context characterized by multiple
structural constraints, women can think, plan, make choices and re/negotiate their
position within the system (Avishai, 2016; Kandiyoti, 1988). (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Morina, Diana LU
supervisor
organization
course
SIMZ21 20221
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Obstetric Violence, Kosovo, Agency, Intersectionality, Commodification, Informality, Strategies, Tactics
language
English
id
9089823
date added to LUP
2022-06-23 10:55:32
date last changed
2022-06-23 10:55:32
@misc{9089823,
  abstract     = {{This study explores different modalities of agency that birthing women in 
Kosovo express when met with a high threat of obstetric violence and structural 
constraints. Specifically, this study identifies the strategies and tactics women 
employ during pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum to avoid and minimise the 
risk of obstetric violence in public and private health settings. Moreover, this study examines the intersections between and across multiple identity markers and 
backgrounds of the birthing women and how they shape their strategies and tactics. 
The results emphasize that obstetric violence is present in Kosovo, especially in 
public sector settings, and it assumes multiple forms. Simultaneously, obstetric 
violence in this study site is undergirded by broader factors such as patriarchal 
norms embedded at all levels of society, commodification of healthcare, and informality. This study shows that women employ multiple strategies and tactics to 
avoid and minimise obstetric violence. The most utilised strategies by women are 
(a) purchasing obstetric care in the private sector and (b) informal practices, while the most utilised tactics are (a) performance of docility and (b) performance of resistance. In this study, I argue that the intersections of women’s identities and backgrounds shape their choices of strategies and tactics and their “success.” These agentic actions vis-à-vis strategies and tactics that women employ take the form of complicity and resistance, however, they represent a strong expression of agency (Avishai, 2016). While the agentic actions of women might uphold the current 
oppressive structures, women use the space to bargain with the system and 
maximize their security, avoid, and minimise obstetric violence (Kandiyoti, 1988). 
Hence, this study argues that even in such a context characterized by multiple 
structural constraints, women can think, plan, make choices and re/negotiate their 
position within the system (Avishai, 2016; Kandiyoti, 1988).}},
  author       = {{Morina, Diana}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{"We are humans, not animals" Obstetric Violence in Kosovo: An Intersectional Analysis of Women’s Responses to Obstetric Violence}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}