BOOK LAUNCH: Magic Misoprostol | Cordelia Freeman

BOOK LAUNCH: Magic Misoprostol: Reproductive Justice and Abortion Liberation in Latin America by Cordelia Freeman

Welcome to the virtual book launch of Magic Misoprostol:Reproductive Justice and Abortion Liberation in Latin America by Dr Cordelia Freeman, Senior Lecturer at the University of Exeter, UK. Join us online to hear more about the book from Cordelia and leading experts on abortion and reproductive justice in Latin America.

The event will be chaired by Sydney Calkin (Queen Mary University of London) and we will be joined by Nayla Luz Vacarezza (University of Buenos Aires/CONICET), Sandra Rodríguez (University College London) and Melisa Slep (Queen Mary University of London).

The launch will take place on Zoom and all attendees will be sent the zoom link before the event.

Magic Misoprostol is available to pre-order now and the free ebook will be available from the 12th September through the publisher's webpage or ebook locations such as the kindle store.

Magic Misoprostol tells the story of the abortion pill misoprostol and how it came to play such an important role in the reproductive lives of people all around the world. Starting from the development of a stomach ulcer drug into a 'magic' abortion pill, the book explores how acompañantes (accompaniers) across Latin America have transformed what abortions can look like and who gets to 'provide' them. The book centres the experiences of those who have led these developments and will be of interest to readers wanting to learn about self-managed abortion beyond the medical sphere, how acompañamiento has reimagined abortion care, and how Latin America has been the front line for advancing these knowledges and practices. The book shows that the real magic of misoprostol lies in the activism of feminists and acompañantes and that is how we can chart a path toward abortion liberation.

PRAISE FOR MAGIC MISOPROSTOL:

‘I truly enjoyed reading Magic Misoprostol and found it thought-provoking, especially in the way Freeman talks about taking misoprostol out of the strictly biomedical realm and watching as feminists move it through social channels not sanctioned by states. Freeman importantly centers the Latin American feminist movement(s), since it's still too rare to read English-language accounts of the incredible vitality and energy that Latin American activists have contributed. In all, Freeman adroitly explains how Latin American feminists used misoprostol to support women, liberating safe abortion from state and biomedical control.’ Lynn M. Morgan, Mount Holyoke College

‘In this terrific and creative book, Freeman centres the stories of those who make the magic of misoprostol possible. Magic Misoprostol brilliantly recounts how Latin American acompañantes became magicians, using misoprostol to secure reproductive autonomy in spite of abortion bans.’ Michelle Oberman, author of Her Body, Our Laws: On the Frontlines of the Abortion War from El Salvador to Oklahoma

‘This book weaves the story of an 'abortion pill' as it travels through political, social, geographic, and biological spaces, transforming lives and communities - as well as public health - along the way.' Naomi Braine, City University of New York

‘Magic Misoprostol is deeply researched and empirically rich. It is also beautifully written. Drawing on fascinating insights from activists around Latin America, it tells an urgent story for feminists everywhere. Readers at all levels – from undergraduates to practitioners to researchers - will learn something new from this wonderful book.' Sydney Calkin, author of Abortion Pills Go Global: Reproductive Freedom Across Borders

‘Magic Misoprostol offers a valuable contribution to the dialogue on reproductive justice in Latin America. From an external yet attentive and well-documented perspective, the book acknowledges the central role of local feminist networks in transforming abortion into an autonomous practice. The combination of narrative and analytical approaches is one of its main strengths. The author draws on practical experiences and situated voices to develop broader reflections on reproductive justice and feminist autonomy. The reconstruction of accompaniment practices and the political use of misoprostol highlights forms of care and resistance forged in the Global South, with global implications.' Raquel Drovetta, National University of Villa María, Argentina

‘With grace and care, Freeman expertly elucidates how both ordinary women and transnational feminist networks have harnessed the abortifacient properties of the ulcer drug misoprostol to empower a hemispheric-wide movement of self-managed medication abortion. In doing so, people seeking abortions and those who accompany them work to demedicalise the procedure and make it accessible, holistic, and empowering across both restrictive and accessible contexts. In centring the actions and experiences of feminist acompañantes across Latin America, Magical Misoprostol shows us an abortion future that transcends national regimes and prioritizes abortion seekers’ experiences and safety.' Cassia Roth, author of A Miscarriage of Justice: Women’s Reproductive Lives and the Law in Early Twentieth-Century Brazil

‘A passionate and provocative call for global abortion liberation that positions Latin America as the model for the delivery of abortion services in ways that enhance women’s autonomy. It centres the role of misoprostol and acompañantes as offering a safe and viable alternative to abortion access traditionally managed by medical and legal regimes. Freeman has written a book that is a timely feminist lesson for reproductive justice and abortion rights advocates just when abortion services and abortion providers are under attack in several countries.' Christabelle Sethna, University of Ottawa

‘A timely, absorbing ethnography, compellingly showing how misoprostol has become a liberation tool for women from Latin America to the world.' Silvia de Zordo, University of Barcelona