—¿No estoy yo aquí que soy tu madre?
The Virgin of Guadalupe spoke these words to an indigenous peasant named Juan Diego in the story of her apparition in 1531. An estimated 11 million pilgrims have come to Mexico City this week to celebrate her feast day (Dec. 12) and visit the basilica built in her honor. And yet, while “La Guadalupana” is revered as a beloved symbol of motherhood, the reality faced by many Mexican mothers is a harsh one.
One in three women in Mexico experiences obstetric violence—ranging from verbal or physical abuse to unwanted procedures—during pregnancy or while in labor.
In this episode of The Mexpat Interview, I talk to photojournalist and filmmaker Janet Jarman about her years documenting Mexican midwives and how their struggle for recognition and for the dignity of birthing women is also a bigger human rights story. Janet’s 2019 film “Birth Wars”—shot in rural, remote parts of Guerrero—captures the conflict between tradition and medicalization; but also the entrenched power structures underneath.
In September, new regulation came into effect in Mexico that aims to integrate these vital healthcare providers into the public health system. However, as you will learn in this conversation, Mexican midwives are not a uniform group of practitioners, and some have expressed reservations about the government’s plan.
“The overarching goal of all of them is the same,” says Janet. “…To emphasize the sacredness of birth again and put women at the center.”
Episode Notes
Janet’s forthcoming book “Birth Wars: In Search of Dignity” is available for pre-order here.
Learn more about the film “Birth Wars” and where to watch it here.
You can read my 2022 piece about maternal healthcare in Mexico and my personal experiences with midwives here.
My thanks to Janet for providing some of her still photographs for use in the video interview.
You can find the audio-only version of this interview on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and the video version is also available on YouTube.
Questions, commentary or feedback? Email me: hola@themexpatriate.com. And if you enjoyed this conversation, please share it.
