Traditional healing and spirituality in women ́s experiences of abortion and massive feminist demonstrations in Argentina, 2015-2020

KARINA FELITTI

New Jersey

Workshop; Summer Program in Social Science, Princeton University; 2021

Institute for Advanced Study, Princeton University

This paper analyzes the spreading of information about traditional healing for abortions and the development of rituals related to this experience that takes place in women´s circles in Buenos Aires City and also, the presence of spiritual feminism in massive mobilizations that have claimed for abortion rights in Argentina, until its legalization in December 2020. This study is based on participant observation and semi-structured interviews in both spaces between 2015 and 2020, and the analysis of the contents published in the social networks of women ́s circles organizers (Instagram & Facebook) and fanzines and books about Natural Gynaecology and traditional healingoffered in feminist mobilizations. The main findings of this paper demonstrate an exchange and confluence of practices and values between secular feminist activists and spiritual practitioners, which constructs a spiritual feminist identity. This study also reveals original definitions and experiences that challenge secular notions of health and the beginning of life and dichotomies between the political and the spiritual, and the social and the magic/natural world.