A MATTER OF DIFFERENCE?ER
Based on fi eld and archival research, this thesis explores reproductive Based on fi eld and archival research, this thesis explores reproductive decision-making in contemporary Zimbabwe, as well as the historical decision-making in contemporary Zimbabwe, as well as the historical background of current discourses on sexuality and reproduction. Zim- background of current discourses on sexuality and reproduction. Zim- babwe (Southern Rhodesia) was created and structured by a European babwe (Southern Rhodesia) was created and structured by a European Imperial diaspora, based on racialised patriarchal structures of control.
Imperial diaspora, based on racialised patriarchal structures of control.
White rule lasted from 1896 to 1979, a period during which the patriar- White rule lasted from 1896 to 1979, a period during which the patriar- chal structures of coloniser and colonised were increasingly intertwined, chal structures of coloniser and colonised were increasingly intertwined, as they were implicated both in confl icts over, and joint struggles for as they were implicated both in confl icts over, and joint struggles for increased control of women, sexuality and reproduction.
increased control of women, sexuality and reproduction.
With the point of departure in Zimbabwe’s colonial history,
With the point of departure in Zimbabwe’s colonial history, A matt er of A matt er of diff erence?
diff erence? analyses how reproductive decision-making relates to dis- analyses how reproductive decision-making relates to dis- courses of race, sexuality and gender, and on what grounds Zimbabwean courses of race, sexuality and gender, and on what grounds Zimbabwean men and women make reproductive decisions. Feminist theories, as well men and women make reproductive decisions. Feminist theories, as well as theories of fertility decline are explored in the search for a theoretical as theories of fertility decline are explored in the search for a theoretical framework, which may help us understand the Zimbabwean situation, framework, which may help us understand the Zimbabwean situation, which seems to contradict conventional theories on fertility decline. The which seems to contradict conventional theories on fertility decline. The main conclusions of the thesis are, that the historical background has main conclusions of the thesis are, that the historical background has consequences for contemporary practices and discourses on sexuality consequences for contemporary practices and discourses on sexuality and reproduction; that women’s dependency on men is under-theorised and reproduction; that women’s dependency on men is under-theorised in theories of fertility change; and that gender equality and economic in theories of fertility change; and that gender equality and economic growth are not necessarily required for sett ing a trend of fertility decline growth are not necessarily required for sett ing a trend of fertility decline in motion.
in motion.
Ane Marie Ørbø Kirkegaard Ane Marie Ørbø Kirkegaard
Department of Peace and Development Research, Department of Peace and Development Research, Göteborg University, Box 700
Göteborg University, Box 700 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden 405 30 Göteborg, Sweden
Phone: +46 31 7731000Fax: +46 31 7734910 Phone: +46 31 7731000Fax: +46 31 7734910 E-mail:
E-mail: info@padrigu.gu.seinfo@padrigu.gu.se www.padrigu.gu.se
www.padrigu.gu.se ISBN: 91 87 380 609 ISBN: 91 87 380 609
Department of Peace and Development Research, Göteborg University
Ane Marie Ørbø KirkegaardAne Marie Ørbø Kirkegaard A MATTER OF DIFFERENCE? A MATTER OF DIFFERENCE?CE?
Ane Marie Ørbø Kirkegaard Family planning and gendered discourses on sexuality and reproductive decision-making among Black and White Zimbabweans
