Articulating Abortion

The Women's & Gender Studies proudly presents the year-long Articulating Abortion series. Our programming for AY 2022-23 is dedicated to reproductive health, rights, and justice. Through talks and panels, we will approach the topic of abortion with a scholarly, interdisciplinary lens.

MIT’s WGS Program is committed to keeping these issues at the forefront of our university-wide conversations. We will help create and sustain awareness about this uniquely dangerous threat to democracy at home and in the world. History shows what happens when people’s sovereignty over their bodies is delegated to the state: the doors to totalitarianism open wider.

Regardless of your stance, we invite you to the talks and hope you’ll participate in the discussions that follow each talk.

These talks will be in-person only and will not be recorded.

Featured
Reproductive Justice: Global Movements and Wins
Apr 2
Reproductive Justice: Global Movements and Wins

With panelists: Giselle Carino, Hawon Jung, and Chantal Umuhoza- please join us for a zoom panel focused on learning from experts on reproductive justice movements, research, and action in various regions around the world including Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Register now

Centering the Margins: Fight for Reproductive Justice and Body Sovereignty
Oct 18
Centering the Margins: Fight for Reproductive Justice and Body Sovereignty

With panelists: Payal Kumar, Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, Rachel Lorenzo of Indigenous Women Rising, and Dr. Rebekah Viloria- Please join us for a panel which will analyze our current political state, the work advocates and researchers have done, and the future for justice movements in the fight for reproductive justice.

The History and Future of Abortion Medication in the United States: Reflections on 30 years of Mifepristone
Apr 6
The History and Future of Abortion Medication in the United States: Reflections on 30 years of Mifepristone

In this talk, Public Health Professor Liz Janiak will discuss mifepristone, self managed abortion, and the political stigma preventing the maximum public health benefits.

This event will take place on April 6 at 4 pm in room 2-105. This event will be open to the public.

Women Take the Reel Film Festival: Fly So Far
Mar 21
Women Take the Reel Film Festival: Fly So Far

Fly So Far is the story of Teodora Vásquez, the spokesperson of The Seventeen, the women accused of aggravated homicide in El Salvador because of having a miscarriage or a stillbirth. We hope you join us for the screening of the documentary and an exclusive discussion with the director on March 21 at 6pm in Bartos Theater.

Abortion Legislation and Practice in an International Perspective
Mar 8
Abortion Legislation and Practice in an International Perspective

Sociology Professor Jocelyn Viterna and Dr. Leigh Senderowicz will join us for an International Women’s Day panel a discussion about abortion and reproductive justice around the world.

This event will take place on March 8th at 4:30pm in room 2-105. All are welcome.

Women against Abortion: Inside the Largest Reform Movement of the Twentieth Century
Feb 9
Women against Abortion: Inside the Largest Reform Movement of the Twentieth Century

Drawing from her book, Women against Abortion, Haugeberg will explain how women in the antiabortion movement developed and deployed the strategies that led to the downfall of the constitutional right to abortion in the US in 2022.

This event will take place on February 9 at 4pm in room 2-105. This event will be open to the public.

Abortion Rights as Human Rights: The Continuing Fight for Reproductive Justice
Dec 13
Abortion Rights as Human Rights: The Continuing Fight for Reproductive Justice

Sociology Professor Zakiya Luna will address the potential for the human rights discourse to deliver on its promise to secure freedom and equity for all.

This event will take place on December 13 at 4 pm in 3-133. This event will be open to the public.

Race in the Roberts Court: Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization
Nov 16
Race in the Roberts Court: Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization

Please save the date as Professor of Law Khiara M. Bridges of Berkeley Law will be joining us to excavate the role of race in the Court's decision in Dobbs to reverse Roe v. Wade.
This event will take place on November 16 at 4:30 pm in room 4-231.

Abortion in South Africa Under Apartheid (1948-1994)
Nov 7
Abortion in South Africa Under Apartheid (1948-1994)

Please join us as Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Susanne M. Klausen joins us to discuss abortion in South Africa under apartheid during the years between 1948 and 1994.

This event will take place on November 7 at 5 pm in room 3-333. This event will be open to the public.