Mahé Elipe

Photographer
   
AcompañantAs
Public Project
AcompañantAs
Copyright Mahé Elipe 2024
Date of Work Oct 2023 - Ongoing
Updated Sep 2023
Location mexico
Topics Abortion, Conceptual, Documentary, Latin America, Womens Rights
Summary
In Latin America, a handful of young women are building a network of support and follow-up during all stages of the abortion process. They are called "Acompañantas". Through the glow of these feelings of love and compassion, the tenderness of a hand stretched out to support the women among themselves shines through.
In the context of the changing legislation on the decriminalization of abortion in Latin America and the United States, a new generation of young women is emerging who have taken on the task of accompanying their fellow women through the abortion process, totally free of charge and in a spirit of sisterhood, based on empathy, emotional support and care among women. They are called "Acompañantas". In Latin America, a handful of these women are building a network of mutual support and providing follow-up during all stages of the abortion process. Women with different profiles: mothers, students, sisters, or even activists, all united by one and the same cause: to be able to choose over one's body.  Like the green glitter found in feminist demonstrations, they sneak and shine only by acting in the shadows. The predominance of the church and conservative political groups has led to the development of a black market for Misoprostol (the drug used to perform an abortion), and abortions are often performed clandestinely. Misinformation and guilt-tripping of young women who want to have an abortion often result in traumatic experiences for them. It is thus together and hand in hand that they will live this ordeal, where sharing and reciprocity makes no difference between the one who accompanies and the one who interrupts her pregnancy.

Thus, behind their lively and sparkling aspects, the strength of the claim that the "Marea Verde" has allowed Latin America to reflect on what the right to decide implies in terms of health and care. And by the glow of these feelings of love and compassion, they provide a safe space, legal advice, emotional support, but more than ever remind all girls that they are not alone. Today, the Companions is attempting to expand transnationally, especially after the overturning of the abortion ruling in the United States.

By tracing the journey of several Acompañantas in different Latin American countries, we understand the contextual differences that each one has to face. From this comes the spark of the pro-abortion struggle that these women try to bring to light every day in the public square. The militant interventions that we find in the street, has therefore inspired the plastic intervention of the images, coming here to irradiate their actions, as a way to pay tribute to them. Here glitters the green and shines the color of hope, that of a flourishing struggle, where everyone reaches out to each other.

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