My Rights, My Choice"; "My Body, My Choice"; "We Have the Right to Be Heard"; and "Before I'm a Woman, I'm a Human. Bodily autonomy constitutes self determination over one's own body without external domination or duress. Conservatives are now crying "my body, my choice" over wearing masks to slow the spread of COVID-19 but keep fighting the pro-choice movement. It will not be an exaggeration to state that the rhetoric ‘My body, my choice’ resounded more and more in the recent week. Critics claim that the slogan fails to include the fetus as an entity that deserves a voice and a right to bodily autonomy as well. My body, my choice is a feminist slogan used in several countries, most often surrounding issues of bodily autonomy and abortion. This whole process of social construction has long been cultured. The st… [1] Bodily integrity is the inviolability of the physical body and emphasizes the importance of personal autonomy, self-ownership, and the self-determination of human beings over their own bodies. My Body My Choice is the book I wish I had as a teen, before, during, and after my abortion. Recently, the slogan ‘My Body, My Choice’ was highly visible in protests against conservative states in the US seeking to mount new legal challenges to Roe v Wade case and banning abortion (and in some states making it a felony, and with no reprieve for rape or incest). 267 likes. The fetus is inside her body, therefore it is part o… The supporters of the rhetoric contend that neither man is dominant nor woman is submissive. The Aurat March and slogans raised in Aurat March have defied the centuries-long rule of men and their hegemony. The rhetoric counters rationally the social construction that has negated equality between man and woman. My choice. The rhetoric ‘My body, my soul’ is the expression of that. 751 likes. [20][21], Concept of My body, my choice (Mera jism meri marzi) was discussed in a March 2003 article in the Indian women's magazine, Femina. Consequently, power has been shifted from being balanced to one extreme. [33] According to Ursula Barry throughout human history the bodily autonomy of women has been contested. For example, those who are against vaccination have used the slogan to express their right to refuse to be vaccinated or to vaccinate their children. [13], Writer Zainab Najeeb contends that the slogan is neither a challenge to religious beliefs, nor should it been seen as scandalous. Manhood and masculinity have remained in power for centuries. ("My body belongs to me!"). [68], As part of the women's rights movement with the concept of "My body my choice", South Africans arranged photography and multimedia exhibitions. But what about the bodily rights of the preborn baby? [27] The slogan has been very controversial. [3][4][5][6][7] Freedom of choice describes an individual's opportunity and autonomy to perform an action selected from at least two available options, unconstrained by external parties. To comprehend this social injustice and inequality, feminists have raised many slogans including ‘My body, my choice’ to quell this structural inequality and injustice. [34] According to Barry, the right and access to abortion manifests one of the last struggles to achieve women's bodily autonomy. We need to do is ask, “Whydo you consider the unborn child to be a part of the woman’s body?” The usual response is momentary hesitation, followed by one of three possible answers; 1. [77], Variations and translations in other languages and geographies, Paragraph forked imported from Wikipedia article, African-American women's suffrage movement, International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD25), International Conference on Population and Development, Sexual and reproductive health and rights, United Nations Commission on Population and Development, Xenotransplantation: Ethical, Legal, Economic, Social, Cultural, Personal Autonomy, the Private Sphere and Criminal Law, "Pakistani Women Are Proudly Declaring 'Mera Jism Meri Marzi' After Khalil Ur Rehman Qamar's Abusive Rant On TV", Background document for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD25) held at Nairobi summit in 2019, "Vatican cancels football match with Vienna over anti-abortion protests", "Hong Kong's fourth annual SlutWalk stands against sexual violence", "In Pictures: 'A long way to go' - over 100 people march in Hong Kong's annual SlutWalk against sexual assault", "Educating Childrens The Importance of Safety", "OP-ED: Our bodies, our selves – towards reproductive justice in South Africa", "My body, my mind, my choice: Deepika Padukone", "Deepika Padukone's 'empowering' video: Whose choice is it anyway? Moreover, the rhetoric is a conscious effort to offer to escape to women from all the injustices and inequalities being inflicted on them. Capitalism, gaining strength in 17th- … [55] Others see the slogan as being only about "sexual independence", rather than about the whole sum of bodily autonomy. Feminists say this...No one has the right to abort a fetus in a body. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. A preborn human is a complete, whole, distinct, separate, living organism. [39], "My body, my choice" also intersects with class struggles, which are also concerned with "a refusal of biopolitical control and the assertion of the right to live self-directed lives autonomous of the demands of the powerful. WhatsApp. "Hundreds Protest Alabama Abortion Ban: 'My Body, My Choice! [27], When asked whether "my body, my choice" was priority for women of non-elite social classes, and whether "my life" might be better wording than "my body", Pakistani women's rights activist Marvi Sirmed retorted that "my body, my choice" is an issue relevant to Pakistani women across all classes, and that "'My body, my choice' means that no society can wage their wars at the expense of a woman's body. “My body, my choice” gives everything needed to understand the position. [23] Indian actress, Deepika Padukone, played the lead role and the film was directed by Homi Adajania. 0. Both Lives Matter | Blog | My Body My Choice. This extreme concentration of power has authorized men to decide the fate of girls and women regarding their life, education, life partner and patterns? Second-wave feminist activism has argued for reproductive rights and choice. ", When the 2015 viral short film, My Choice, starring Deepika Padukone, was released, it received a largely negative response on social media. If it is presented so, it is because of the social fabrication. [19] Larissa Klazinga of Rhodes university, experimented with exhibition of photographs of various protest messages which women identify themselves, with a view of contesting objectification and injustices along with their naked bodies, with a concept that women have power to speak about their own bodies and decide how much to reveal for themselves. This culturing cannot be processed without power. Cerabino is not happy about it. We have all heard the endless sermons about respecting one’s identity, to the point where it became normalized to dress and parade a child as a drag queen , simply because we needed to respect that child’s individuality. This enduring power-centric hegemony has imparted them with legitimacy to define and color things. My body, my choice is a feminist slogan used in several countries, most often surrounding issues of bodily autonomy and abortion. To begin with, it is impossible to reply directly to this slogan unless we have the user clarify what he or she means by it. In Florida, some people are using the slogan “My body, my choice!” to protest a government requirement about wearing masks in public. By. Facebook. On 11 March 2013, Amina Sboui was the first Tunisian woman to post a photograph of herself nude from the waist up on Facebook, with the phrase "My body is mine and not the source of anybody's honour" in Arabic. The writer can be reached at [email protected], Home This considered a fundamental right—irrespective of their sexuality, where they live, how much they earn, or their ethnicity. [61] The writer of the Quartz article, Gunjeet Sra, felt that the choices made only reflected those already approved by society. We ask them to stop killing us in the name of honor and give us the right to say no because we have the right to say no to anything that we don't feel comfortable with. Cerabino is not happy about it. Here's what you need to know about infant circumcision", "Your Body, Your Choice: Fight for Your Somatic Rights", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=My_body,_my_choice&oldid=995696673, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 22 December 2020, at 11:49. 27. It is a cry of independence. Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine Induced Adverse Reactions In “More Than Half” Of Trial Participants 4.25 Stars (I received an e-arc from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review) My Body My Choice is a book that needs to be placed in junior high and high schools all over the world, it’s that important especially in todays climate. The rhetoric highlights the structural violence, injustices, and inequality inflicted on women of our society. [66], My Body My Choice: The Fight for Abortion Rights was written by Robin Stevenson and published in 2019. [10] Mehr Tarar asserts that women's claim of rights over their own bodies and own choices is a God-given right strengthened by the finest of human values. [10] Like men, women too need to have right to choose their religion or what they want to wear (or not wear) and that the message behind the slogan is very important. There’s simply no justification to hurting somebody else just because you’re involved with it. The rhetoric contends for restructuring the system of patriarchy. [27], In South Korea, the slogan of "my body, my choice" has meant choosing whether or not to marry and to have children. [61], The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is anti-abortion and has criticized the slogan. Politics Coronavirus House of … Therefore, the Aurat March and all the slogans related to this, struggle to make a gender-equal world, where the woman is considered as an equal human as that of man. [65] Feminist Coven and Sistah Sistah Foundation have arranged women's rights Marches around the same themes with slogans like 'keep your policies off my body' to contest rape culture and raise their voices on issues like education and reproductive health to equal political and economic representation. Mali, Niger and Senegal were in lowest list with only 7% women getting freedom to decide about their own bodies regarding sexual intercourse with their partner, contraception use and health care. They have decided that their way of behavior and understanding is final. [22], In March 2015 a short film, My Choice, as part of Vogue India's social awareness initiative. [69][70], In 2019, Gucci debuted a fashion collection based on feminist social movements. [48] In Spanish it is translated as "Mi cuerpo es mío" ("My body is mine.") Some variations in English include, "My life my choice; My life my rules", "My body, my rules. "My body my, choice" is a slogan that is meant to represent the idea of personal bodily autonomy, bodily integrity and freedom of choice. It is a cry of individuality. In Florida, some people are using the slogan “My body, my choice!” to protest a government requirement about wearing masks in public. ", "Why 'My Choice' featuring Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone is not everyone's choice", "Deepika Padukone's video for Vogue is not empowering—it's hypocritical", "My Body My Choice: The Fight for Abortion Rights", "Gucci Collection Promotes Abortion Rights Amid Wave of Abortion Restrictions in U.S.", "Best to Get Flu Shot if You Plan on Being in Public", "How Masks Went From Don't-Wear to Must-Have During the Coronavirus Pandemic", "So you're having a boy. This is not the first slogan that has become hot-button. Opposed to this, the problem can be fixed with the mentalities who think so. Patriarchy has historically marginalized the women and pushed them towards the subaltern section of society. [31], In 2017 Protest in Lusaka for Women's empowerment issues Zambian women marched with slogans like "My Body, My Sexuality. As a female, I know that my rights have been and continue to be up for debate. On 8 March 2020 Aurat March, many signs found a way to spin the main four words of Mera Jism Meri Marzi into statements like 'mera poster, tumhari marzi?' For example, women's bodies have been objectified throughout history through the changing ideologies of fashion, diet, exercise programs, cosmetic surgery, childbearing, etc. [36] According to Barry, challenges facing women include sexual objectification, sexual harassment and gender based sexual abuse and violence. "[32], Issues commonly associated with notions of women's rights include the right to bodily integrity and autonomy; to be free from sexual violence; to vote; to hold public office; to enter into legal contracts; to have equal rights in family law; to work; to fair wages or equal pay; to have reproductive rights; to own property; to education. The cognition allied with this rhetoric also contends for a gender-equal world with the least gender discrimination. "[71], Some uses of the slogan do not come from a feminist perspective, but still form a concept of bodily autonomy. [73][74][75], Opponents of infant circumcision have used the slogan as a critique of the practice's alteration of infant genitals. This is a widely believed lie in our culture—a lie particularly fed by the abortion industry, and perpetuated by many in recent generations. My right to my body is constrained by your right to yours. The slogan ‘My body, my choice’ symbolically dares the inferiority of women and challenges the attribute concomitant to manhood. In this video, Kirsten Watson, wife of Superbowl Champion Benjamin Watson, explains how to respond to “My Body, My Choice” and reinforce the pro-life argument for the most vulnerable members of society. But what about the bodily rights of the preborn baby? Maybe you have seen written responses to the “my body, my choice” statements which reflect what these figures point out; biologically, a preborn human is not the woman’s body or a part of her body. Investor Information It also claims that the values regarding superiority and inferiority have been socially constructed and artificially structured. In late 1969 the slogan was again coined as a feminist struggle for reproductive rights and subsequently noted by the global feminist struggle. Latest News If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. So, ‘My body, my choice’ is the continuity of the consciousness that challenges and resists the manhood’s long rule. The argument simply doesn’t apply when someone else is directly connected to those actions. The book covers the conflict over abortion around the world. "[29], Criticism of the use of "my body, my choice" in the United States often comes in response to its use in abortion rights issues. The underlying principle is that if it is a woman's body, she should be the one to make choices about and have the agency to access the health support she needs, and take well-informed decisions in relation to her own body, health and life. Share. ), making way for 'mera mazhab, meri marzi' (my religion, my choice) in an allusion to forced conversion, and 'mera wajood, meri marzi' (my existence, my choice). A preborn human is a complete, whole, distinct, separate, living organism. [37] According to Needa Kirmani this slogan disturbs those foundations of the patriarchy which controls and exploit women's bodies against their own will. The majority of those who are against this rhetoric don’t know the intrinsic meaning of ‘My body, my choice’. “If it’s my body, then I get to punch the person next to me” is not an argument that sane people will find logical. [56] Writer Anjum Altaf says that critics' attempts to suggest alternative slogans to 'My body, my choice' don't realize that this amounts to mansplaining by subjecting feminist struggle to patriarchal approval what actually they are fighting against. The argument simply doesn’t apply when someone else is directly connected to those actions. [24] My Choice not only refers to reproductive rights but also a range of women's rights issues relating to South Asian women, such as freedom to choose clothing, movement, love sex and marriage. We must have the right to say that we can't tolerate sexual harassment and to say no to decisions regarding our marriages by other [family members]. "My body, my choice." The slogan has been used around the world and translated into many different languages. ", "It's Your Choice, Not Theirs! But what about the bodily rights of the preborn baby? In German, the commonly used slogan is Mein Körper gehört mir! They have fixed themselves. [11], Background document for the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD25) held at Nairobi summit in 2019 sums up, 'state of complete physical, mental and social well-being in all aspects relating to sexuality and the reproductive system Good sexual and reproductive health' can only be termed to be 'Good sexual and reproductive health', to achieve the same, every person need to have a right to make decisions governing their body and to access services that support those rights. The use of the slogan has caused different types of controversy in different countries and is often used as a rallying cry during protests and demonstrations and/or to bring attention to different feminist issues. [62] The slogan or "attitude" of "my body, my choice" has also been criticized by anti-abortion advocates as being an essentially "self-centered" choice. My Body My Choice also explains the basics of reproductive health in an affirming, non-stigmatizing, and digestible way for young readers. Four state residents even filed a lawsuit claiming the mandate is violating their “personal liberty, and constitutional rights,” including their right to privacy. "[40], On the eve of International summit ICPD25 that is commemoration of 25th year of International Conference on Population and Development held at Nairobi in November 2019; UNFPA news report presents grim picture with help of global statistics; more than 800 women die from preventable causes during pregnancy and childbirth also 33000 girls forced in marriages every day; 4 million girl child are forced to go through female genital mutilation every year, an estimated 232 million women who would prefer modern contraception to prevent pregnancies are unable to avail the same for some reason or other. In June 2019, the Vatican City women's football team decided to withdraw from a football match with a Vienna-based Austrian women's football club, since Austrian women used the occasion to display the slogan "my body my rules" on their bodies, along with pro LGBT slogans as a mark of protest against the Catholic Church's position on abortion. In an alleged rape case, the victim in India phrased her argument in words Mera jism mera hai, mere employer ka khilona nahi (My body is mine, Not a toy to be played by my employer).[50][51]. “If it’s my body, then I get to punch the person next to me” is not an argument that sane people will find logical. Experimental COVID-19 Vaccine Safe, Generates Immune Response. The women's health movement and lesbian feminism are also associated with this debate. [67] Booklist wrote that it "should be required reading for teens of every gender. Some of the criticism of "My body, my choice" in South Asia comes from the radical right in Islam. My Body, My Choice is presenting a new exhibition on the real stories of abortion and reproductive justice. Roe v. Wade 1974 – YOUR BODY, YOUR CHOICE… “My body, my choice.” It’s one of the most common arguments used to defend abortion. The rhetoric stands for manifesting equal rights and freedom in true spirit. [15][16], In December 2019, Malaysian Deputy Education minister, Teo Nie Ching launched an educational video called "My body is mine" to educate kids about 'Safe touch and unsafe touch' as part of child safety education and save them from possibilities of negative child grooming and decided to include the subject in Malay school books in subject Pendidikan Jasmani dan Kesihatan (Physical education and health). At no point do you need to consider the existence of a third party to follow the logic. Twitter. My Body My Choice. [54] The slogan is considered "vulgar" and sometimes, as anti-government in Pakistan by some critics. The society has been seen divided into two camps; one favor and other opposes the rhetoric. But it’s NOT “your body or your choice” if you want to perform sexual acts for a living, inhale, ingest or inject “government unapproved” illicit drugs into your own body, or choose to not where a mask, or get a vaccine. To substantiate it, in the rural area of Pakistan, girls are forcefully married, without their consent, to the aggrieved family for compensation. [12], According to Anjum Altaf, the ironic history of the term is during the 17/18 century process of capitalism replacing feudalism, the slogan 'My body, my choice' was imposed by oppressor men on oppressed men in an effort to officially regularize bonded laborers own bodies as private properties and extending property rights over them.[13]. Editor’s Picks, Contact Anti-abortion protesters replied with "Have compassion on the little ones!" My Body, My Choice The United States have been arguing the ethics of abortion for decades. The phrase Mera Jism Meri Marzi, meaning My Body My Choice in Urdu and Hindi, has some variations too, like Meri zindagi, meri marzi (My life, my choice) meri zindagi mere faisale (My life, my decisions). Conservatives are now crying "my body, my choice" over wearing masks to slow the spread of COVID-19 but keep fighting the pro-choice movement. Thursday, December 24, 2020. Compensation of what! Manhood and masculinity have remained in power for centuries. TAKE THE PLEDGE [60][61] Quartz India criticized the film for being hypocritical, since Padukone was advocating choice, while still adhering to patriarchal standards in other movies she stars in. So, I fight for the right of women to have safe and healthy choices regarding their bodies and their choice to give birth or not. placards. [53] In 2020, these hardline critics of the slogan stated that it was "anti-Islamic" to imply that women could do as they wished with their bodies. Kirmani says those who oppose the slogan perpetuate a culture of rape, sexual harassment, child marriage, physical abuse, lack of healthcare, domestic violence, human trafficking, and bonded labour/slavery. The esoteric meaning attached to this rhetoric needs an academic insight to be comprehended. "[67], Author Jess McCabe introduces a glossary of concepts related to the slogan 'My body my choice' which includes Abortion, Bodily autonomy, Contraception, First nations, Forcible sterilization, Gendered, Heteronormativity, Institutionalized culture, LGBTQI, Prenatal testing, Pro-choice, Reproductive justice, Selective abortion, Sex positive feminism, Sexual consent, Social model of disability, Social mores, Social justice; in her book 30-Second Feminism: 50 Key Ideas, Events, and Protests, Each Explained in half a minute. But one photo stands out: A young woman holding a small American flag and a white poster showing a crossed-out surgical mask and emblazoned with the words " [34] Impediments posed by conservatives and religious and cultural moral police includes autonomy over one's own fertility includes both opposition to forms of positive fertility treatments, opposition to contraception, sterilization and also abortion. Maybe you have seen written responses to the “my body, my choice” statements which reflect what these figures point out; biologically, a preborn human is not the woman’s body or a part of her body. We want a healthy body, nature and planet. [58] It is also suggested that the slogan continues to be expanded in definition to apply to opposition against abuse and harassment of women. [76], According to Kyle Munkittrick in Discover, "My body my choice" is a somatic right that can also be claimed by transhumanists. One of the claims of the pro-choice movement is that the unborn baby is a part of the mother’s body and that in having ownership over her body the mother has a right to do with her body as she chooses. If the “choice” ends another, separate human life, than the argument simply has no ground to stand on. MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Hundreds of demonstrators marched to the Alabama Capitol on Sunday to protest the state's newly approved abortion ban, chanting "my body, my choice… So, the issue does not lie in the very nature of rhetoric and maxim scripted on placards. They provide the explanations of phenomena in the way as their interests are vested in. The slogan ‘My body, my choice’ symbolically dares the inferiority of women and challenges the attribute concomitant to manhood. They, in most cases, might be the victim of the structural violence of patriarchy but they consider any antagonism to the incumbent structures as social deviance. [19], Mera Jism Meri Marzi (Urdu: میرا جسم میری مرضی‎; Hindi: मेरा जिस्म मेरी मर्ज़ी; English: My body, my choice) is a feminist slogan used by feminists in Pakistan and India in context of women rights. [64] In Zambia a youth collective called 'Africa First' takes lead in creating social dialogue awareness regarding youth sexuality and abortion and stigma around the issue. Many more simplistic slogans, in the previous Aurat Marches, have also been made controversial. In this video, Kirsten Watson, wife of Superbowl Champion Benjamin Watson, explains how to respond to “My Body, My Choice” and reinforce the pro-life argument for the most vulnerable members of society. Our religion gives us the right to choose our life partner, so why not society? Elmoudjaweb - December 16, 2020. [9] In 2019, as the most restrictive abortion law in the United States was signed by Alabama governor, Kay Ivey, demonstrators used the slogan outside of the Alabama Capitol in protest. [46] During the April 2004 march in Washington, D.C., a pro-abortion March raised slogans like "My Body Is Not Public Property! “My body, my choice.” It’s one of the most common arguments used to defend abortion. [29], Emma Watson has worn T-shirts with the slogan, "my body, my choice" to bring attention to the need for funding of rape crisis centres in England and Wales. [59] Rameeza Ahmad states that women everywhere have to face huge patriarchal injustices against their own bodies. [71] The collection was inspired by fashion of the 1970s and included clothing bearing the words, "My body, my choice.