Constellations/Cacophonies

Berro Pizzarossa L., & Nandagiri R. (2021). Self-managed abortion: a constellation of actors, a cacophony of laws? Sexual and Reproductive Health Matters. 1;29(1):1899764. https://doi.org/10.1080/26410397.2021.1899764

Lucía and I have been talking about versions of this paper since at least July 2019, trying to carve out time in between submitting and defending our theses, finding new jobs, writing all the other things we need to write…

This was my first “joint first authorship” article— and writing this together was a lesson in feminist writing practices- supportive, generative, and heaps of fun.

Inspired by the great Faye Ginsburg and Rayna Rapp - “Fayna Rappburg”, we call our partnership “Lucíta Nandarossa”.

The first [of many!] articles together, we offer an expanded definition and understanding of self-managed abortions. We argue that rather than an individualised act, abortion is a collective one. While we focus on SMA, it’s equally relevant to other abortion methods.

I am also particularly proud of the alliteration in the title - I text Lucía at some strange hour with “I figured out the other C! CACOPHONY!”

I think this article is so precious to us because it centres our feminist commitments & grounding in abortion and reproductive justice. We deliberately chose SRHM for this piece- not just because it’s our key audience and it’s open access, but because we know abortion activists and advocates read it.

We wrote this as a love letter to our feminist friends, colleagues, and movements; so inspired by their uncompromising and essential work to provide quality abortion care irrespective of the barriers imposed. To see this article resonate with them, and to hear that it made them and their work feel “seen” and acknowledged- it makes me so proud to have done them justice.