Abort – vems rättighet?

Om samtida abortdebatter i Sverige

Abstract

This article interrogates how the concept of fetal “personhood” is employed in the political debate on abortion in Swedish politics. By examining the arguments for and against changes in Swedish abortion policy, we critically engage with some of the problems that the Swedish abortion legislation is faced with, from a feminist perspective. The article illustrates how assumptions of fetal “personhood” are central to arguments that challenge the current Swedish abortion policy, whilst the defense of this policy rests on recognition of the subjectivity and agency of women seeking abortion. We argue that, in order to address new challenges to the legislation, there is a greater need to question assumptions about “fetal life.” Thus, our article builds on and contributes to previous research that emphasize the importance of feminist engagement with fetal representations in order to defend and uphold women’s bodily and reproductive rights.