Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Gender Studies and Sexuality
Year: 2024
DOI:
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SRHR Through the Prism of Gender, Race, and Relations of Domination in French International Cooperation and Development
Meralli Ballou Ange-Valérie
ABSTRACT:
In the International cooperation and development field in France, adopting a framework integrating gender studies in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in now systematic and mandatory. Conversely, decolonial studies are rarely present in French reflexive and operational modes. Witnessing political debates questioning more than ever the way that France presents and represents itself, using this analytical framework seems essential. Acknowledging matrix colonial effects (Quijano A, 2007, Escobar A, Restrepo E, 2009) is questioning the blind meritocracy myth to assignment processes, power relations linked to gender, race and class. The norms and knowledge production (Connell, 1984 and 2014) in SRHR and its objectification methodologies (international law, language, development aid matrix) are fed by alteration mechanisms (racialization, ethnicization and subalternity) (E. Balibar and I. and I. Wallerstein). From the situated and marginal point of view of a woman, racialized, 6th generation French, binational, overseas, working on SRHR and HIV subjects for almost 15 years (Haraway, 1988; Harding, 1991; Harstock, 1983; hooks 1981 and 1985)-, I analyze specific assignments link to the “representations of absence” through the epistemology of ignorance. Simultaneously, I question the universality of the SRHR principles and models used through the practices and positions of Western representation and representatives. Despite the risks associated with “Talking”, expressing this situated perspective is participating to a necessary effort to feed evolution’ opportunities to decolonize the unconscious (Baitinger F) and induced by the “creolization of the world” (E. Glissant). Because “not saying” is also participating in oppression (Foulcault, 1976).
keywords: Colonial matrix, epistemology of ignorance, situated point of view, SRHR