Social movements to support choices for unintended pregnancy: A choices network case study

Thatchaporn Aungsuwitoon (), Teeradej Chai-Aroon () and Pasakorn Intoo-Marn ()

International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies, 2025, vol. 8, issue 5, 1408-1419

Abstract: This study examines strategies and factors that enabled Thailand's Choices Network to increase access to quality services for women with unintended pregnancies, addressing how social movements can navigate cultural resistance around sensitive reproductive health issues. A qualitative case study was conducted using participatory observation and in-depth interviews with twenty-one key informants. Data were analyzed through social movement theoretical frameworks combining new social movement theory, resource mobilization theory, and political process theory. Six key strategies emerged: undercurrent tactics working within conventional systems, meaning deconstruction and identity reconstruction, knowledge-based advocacy, strategic partnerships, targeted public communication, and legal rights mobilization. Critical success factors included establishing a strong, diverse organization, partnering with government agencies, combining all pregnancy options under a "pro-voice" framework, evidence-based approaches, strategic adaptation to political contexts, and leveraging adolescent pregnancy concerns as policy windows. The movement succeeded by reframing abortion from a moral to a health issue and working collaboratively within existing systems rather than through confrontation. Reproductive rights movements can enhance effectiveness through diverse partnerships, innovative digital communication, and collaborative governance arrangements linking civil society with government stakeholders.

Keywords: Access to safe abortion services; Reproductive health; Social movement; Unintended pregnancy. (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://ijirss.com/index.php/ijirss/article/view/9141/2049 (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:aac:ijirss:v:8:y:2025:i:5:p:1408-1419:id:9141

Access Statistics for this article

International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies is currently edited by Natalie Jean

More articles in International Journal of Innovative Research and Scientific Studies from Innovative Research Publishing
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Natalie Jean ().