AUTONOMIA REPRODUTIVA DE MULHERES QUILOMBOLAS DE UMA COMUNIDADE RURAL NO SUDOESTE BAIANO

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the factors that influence with the reproductive autonomy of quilombola women living in a rural community in southwestern Bahia. This is a qualitative study with 13 quilombola women aged between 18 and 49 years, living in a Quilombola community in the rural area of a municipality in Bahia. They attended the meetings and signed the Free and Informed Consent Form. Data were collected through focus groups and analyzed using Bardin's thematic analysis. Data collection was carried out after approval by the Research Ethics Committee. The characterization of the participants showed that the majority were young women, married, with low education, low income and who did not participate in reproductive planning. After aggregating the registration units, four categories emerged: “Importance of financial independence in reproductive autonomy”, “Reproductive planning: female responsibility and difficulty of access”, “Women and marriage: from submission to emancipation”, and “Difficulties in access to information and humanized professional support”. Unfavourable living conditions prevent quilombola women from experiencing reproductive freedom; Therefore, the importance of investing in educational actions and expanding access to health services, guaranteeing reproductive rights, towards promoting knowledge and female empowerment.