Martha Paynter on how prisons violate bodily autonomy [video]

On November 30, Martha Paynter spoke about her book, Abortion to Abolition: Reproductive Health and Justice in Canada, reading from the prison chapter in light of New Brunswick’s plans to build a jail in Fredericton.

The talk, organized by Tertulias Fredericton and co-hosted by Reproductive Justice NB and Fernwood Publishing, is now available for viewing here.

About the book

The history of abortion decriminalization and critical advocacy efforts to improve access in Canada deserve to be better known. Ordinary people persevered to make Canada the most progressive country in the world with respect to abortion care. But while abortion access is poorly understood, so too are the persistent threats to reproductive justice in this country: sexual violence, gun violence, homophobia and transphobia, criminalization of sex work, reproductive oppression of Indigenous women and girls, privatization of fertility health services, and the racism and colonialism of policing and the prison system. This beautifully illustrated book tells the empowering true stories behind the struggles for reproductive justice in Canada, celebrating past wins and revealing how prison abolitionism is key to the path forward.

About the author

Dr. Martha Paynter is the author of Abortion to Abolition: Reproductive Health and Justice in Canada. She is an Assistant Professor at the University of New Brunswick, where her research examines the intersection of reproductive health and the justice system. She is a faculty member of the Contraception and Abortion Research Team based out of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia, and with the Health Law Institute at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University. The founder and former chair of Wellness Within: An Organization for Health and Justice, Dr. Paynter received the Senate of Canada 150 Anniversary Medal for her volunteer service to the country. Her clinical practice focuses on abortion and reproductive care.

Upcoming Tertulias

Dec. 7 – Kelly Bronson on The Immaculate Conception of Data: Agribusiness, Activists, and Their Shared Politics of the Future

Milda’s Pizza is supporting Tertulias Fredericton this fall with a $3 discount on 10 inch pizzas on Tertulia night and free delivery 5 minutes from the cafe. Discount code: Tertulias.

What is a tertulia? A tertulia can be described as a kind of philosophy café where participants talk about big thinkers, artists and ideas. This winter and spring, Tertulias Fredericton has put together a series on activists and social movements that have shaped our lives and allowed us to imagine a better future.

Tertulias Fredericton is supported by Milda’s Pizza, the NB Media Co-op, publisher of videos of the Tertulia talks and Fernwood Publishing.

For more information, visit Tertulias on Facebook or contact: fredericton.tertulia@gmail.com.