Journal article
Abortion Democracy: Sarah Diehl’s advocacy documentary film for women’s rights in Poland and South Africa
Sexual health issues, Vol.1, pp.1-7
2017
DOI: 10.15761/SHI.1000106
Abstract
Objective: Analyze the content of the documentary film Abortion democracy – Poland / South Africa (2008) directed by Sarah Diehl, its main points, hypothesis, conclusion and style. Provide update on abortion access in these countries since 2008. Assess its effectiveness in raising awareness about paradoxes of legality and access in an undergraduate class in the Global Health Program at the University of Iowa in Spring 2017.
Outcome measurements: Students had a choice of media to reflect on abortion issues in various countries and cultures.
Results and limitations: Diehl convincingly shows that in Poland where abortion is largely illegal, underground abortions by trained providers are relatively easy to obtain and frequent but they are exploiting women; in South Africa, the law is very liberal, but providers are reluctant and there is an unmet need for safe abortion. When becoming more democratic both countries limited women’s rights and the ability to safely terminate a pregnancy. Discussion in the class of 37 students as well as the elective response paper showed that they were very affected by the documentary and understood the need for abortion access. This group may not be representative of the larger audience, especially on internet platforms because they were already interested in global health issues and generally pro-choice.
Further research: Several more documentary films about abortion access have been made since which deserve to be analyzed.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Abortion Democracy: Sarah Diehl’s advocacy documentary film for women’s rights in Poland and South Africa
- Creators
- Waltraud Maierhofer - University of Iowa, German
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Sexual health issues, Vol.1, pp.1-7
- DOI
- 10.15761/SHI.1000106
- ISSN
- 2515-5660
- eISSN
- 2515-5660
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2017
- Academic Unit
- German; Interdisciplinary Programs; International Programs
- Record Identifier
- 9984585744602771
Metrics
1 Record Views