Edition 100: Women's Health & Medical Misogyny with Lola Bessis, Victoria Brown and Sekhmet SheOwl
Aug 9, 2024
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Lola Bessis, the newest member of the team, introduces herself and engages with Professor Victoria Brown, who highlights advances and setbacks in women's health. They delve into the pervasive medical misogyny that's harmed women and girls, stressing the importance of women's autonomy in health. Sekhmet SheOwl offers a sobering commentary on how the medical system often overlooks women's needs and encourages proactive health management as a form of radical feminism. The podcast combines urgent global updates with deep insights into the challenges women face.
The podcast underscores the detrimental impact of medical misogyny on women's health, often dismissing their symptoms and delaying necessary treatment.
It emphasizes the capitalist commodification of women's bodies, highlighting how economic interests overshadow essential healthcare needs and exacerbate health issues.
Deep dives
Medical Misogyny and Women's Health
The podcast delves into the persistent issue of medical misogyny that undermines women's health care. Women often report being dismissed by medical professionals, particularly regarding conditions that predominantly affect them, such as chronic pelvic pain and autoimmune diseases. The narrative highlights how many women spend years struggling with severe health issues only to be told their symptoms are psychosomatic, resulting in delayed diagnoses and treatment. There is a critical need for increased awareness and sensitivity among healthcare providers toward women's unique health experiences, as well as advocating for a more inclusive understanding of women's health issues.
The Impact of Capitalism on Women's Bodies
A significant point raised is how capitalism commodifies women's bodies, treating them as means of production rather than recognizing their intrinsic value. The discussion features the historical exploitation of women's reproductive roles and the assumption that women's health concerns can often be overshadowed by economic interests. There is a pressing concern about how advancements in medical science, driven by profit motives, may neglect the actual health needs of women. This capitalist lens can transform natural biological functions into commodities, exacerbating women's health issues instead of addressing them holistically.
Barriers to Women's Healthcare Access
Barriers to accessing quality healthcare for women, particularly in rural areas, are explored extensively in the episode. Increasing hospital closures, along with a significant decline in the availability of midwives, have made it more challenging for women to seek necessary maternal care. As a result, many are forced to travel long distances to receive care, which can be both impractical and threatening to their health outcomes. This reality underscores the ongoing systemic failure to provide adequate and equitable healthcare to women, sparking the need for grassroots solutions to restore autonomy over reproductive health.
The Intersection of Feminism and Health Awareness
The podcast emphasizes the importance of feminist activism in addressing and reframing the conversation around women's health. Key discussions center on the necessity of recognizing women's health issues as political struggles inherent within patriarchal systems. By breaking the stigma associated with women's health topics, the aim is to create an environment where women can openly discuss their experiences and advocate for change. Additionally, organizing as a collective is highlighted as a crucial strategy to empower women to reclaim their health narratives and promote systemic reform in healthcare.
First up, hear Lola Bessis, WLRN's newest member greet the listener introducing herself and her professor, Victoria Brown, who later on in the program will talk about advances and setbacks in women's health.
Next, open your ears for WLRN's World News segment delivered by Mary O'Neill in which she highlights news from Iran and its death sentences for female activists, the Purple Saturdays movement in Afghanistan and news from the Gambia where Parliament just voted to maintain the national ban on female genital mutilation.
After the news, hear Sylvia Bagge's "Release the Medicine", a song about a woman's healing journey. Thistle met Sylvia in the year 2002 in the woods of Michigan's Upper Peninsula at the National Rainbow Gathering. Her words and music are true medicine for the heart and soul.
Then it's on to Lola's interview with Victoria Brown in which they discuss Ms. Brown's research before diving into the nitty gritty of the state of the medical establishment and women's health.
Stay tuned 'til the very end for Sekhmet's sobering commentary on the misogyny inherent within the medical system that underserves, ignores and does actual harm to women and girls. She concludes her piece with encouragement for us to take charge of our personal health and to know that doing so is an act of radical feminism.
As always, thank you for tuning in to WLRN's monthly handcrafted podcast put together by a team of volunteers who care deeply about the lives and matters of women.
To donate to the WLRN fundraiser Jenna and April talked about in today's show, please click here: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=ULAE4ZHPARLFE&ssrt=1723204852902
Make a note that your donation is going to our FiLia Fund. Thanks for tuning in and thank you for your support!
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