Feminism/s and disability_contributions and remaining debates in Latin America

TISEYRA, MARÍA VICTORIA; CONSTANZA LÓPEZ RADRIGÁN

The Routledge International Handbook of Feminist Disability Studies

Routlegde

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2023

2050-7364

The approach of the Social Model has been predominant within Disability Studies. Over thepast few decades this model has received various observations from different perspectives.Feminist Disability Studies have provided valuable contributions which added complexity to the phenomenon of disability. This approach is broadly developed within the English and North American contexts. Considering this, this chapter explores the situation of Feminist Disability Studies in Latin America where the so-called “fourth wave feminism” has stimulated profound debates around topics such as sexuality, reproductive autonomy and care. Based on information obtained from primary and secondary sources —which include technical and scientific documents and interviews with activists and key informants— this chapter proposes a critical review focused on two directions. First, it recovers the contributions of Feminist Disability Studies to the Social Model. Secondly, it outlines the traits of these discussions in the Latin American context and highlights existing vacancies related to sexual and (non) reproductive rights. Findings show there are relations between demands around unequal living conditions of the majority of disabled people within the “Third World” with demands of local feminist movements and theories. These confluences enable articulations that make visible prevalent difficulties and complexities of the experience of disability in our territory. The available evidence also shows the place that issues around gender and sexualities have recently gained within disability activism agendas. This opens opportunities for fruitful alliances with other minority groups. Overall, we aim to contribute to the current state of knowledge and to encourage future empirical research in this area.