Feminism and relational autonomy

Abstract

Autonomy, often linked to informed consent in bioethics, has been a central concept since the Enlightenment, defined as the capacity for self-governance. However, feminists have criticized this definition for its androcentrism, which ignores the experiences of women and other marginalized groups. Relational autonomy, on the other hand, considers decision-making within community and cultural contexts, recognizing human interdependence and social justice. The aim of this article is to argue for the importance of adopting the relational autonomy approach as an adequate theoretical framework to address the barriers faced by indigenous women in Argentina in accessing healthcare. This theoretical perspective allows for the identification of how power dynamics and interdependence affect their ability to exercise autonomy and access adequate health services.