Abstract
Abortion is a difficult theme to be dialogued as it raises different moral positions; this difficulty is also related to obtaining faithful testimonies from women, as this is an issue that goes beyond the simple question “did you already practice abortion?” In this sense, before dealing with the reasons that women have to decide to practice an abortion, it is important to know what these women mean by autonomy, i.e. how women see freedom in dealing with their own body. In this way, this study aimed to analyze the discourses, on the autonomy of the female body, of women who experienced abortion. The study included 15 women aged between 18 and 67 years, the data collection instrument used was the semi-structured interview and the method of analysis was the analysis of discourse that seeks to highlight the meanings that subjects give to reality. The main results demonstrated that women perceive the autonomy on their bodies as freedom, as “doing what you want” without having to justify. Women recognize the autonomy on their bodies as freedom of choice; however, when it comes to abortion this choice must be veiled. Therefore, even considering the decisions about pregnancy and about a possible abortion as rights, abortion in women discourses appeared connected to a negative value judgment.
Abortion; Autonomy; Female Body; Women’s Health; Sexual and Reproductive Rights