On Wednesdays we get abortions: How the Abortion Support Collective is increasing and improving access to abortion care on Vancouver Island
| dc.contributor.author | Lee, Alexandra | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-06-15T23:52:55Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-06-15T23:52:55Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Despite the legalization of abortion in Canada, many barriers still exist for patients accessing abortion care. Here on Vancouver Island, there is only one abortion clinic offering medication abortion care, and one hospital offering surgical abortion procedures exclusively on Wednesdays, meaning that financial limitations, familial responsibilities, and transportation access can all make abortion care access more challenging for patients navigating an already difficult process. This qualitative research project aims to investigate the specific role of the Abortion Support Collective, a collective of abortion doulas, in making abortion care more accessible on Vancouver Island, through emotional support, resource navigation, and transportation accompaniment. Through semi-structured interviews with abortion doulas and analysis of social media usage, this honours thesis demonstrates the significance that abortion doulas can have in supporting abortion patients, educating the public about abortion care, and increasing and improving access to abortion care in the unique geographical area of Vancouver Island. While abortion access is well-researched within feminist anthropology, there is an absence of research dedicated specifically to the role of abortion doulas, and even less regarding the specific geographical area of British Columbia or Vancouver Island. This research seeks to supplement that gap and add to the available literature on the barriers faced by patients seeking legal abortion care. | |
| dc.description.scholarlevel | Undergraduate | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/1828/23987 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.subject | reproductive rights | |
| dc.subject | medical anthropology | |
| dc.subject | abortion access | |
| dc.subject | abortion care | |
| dc.subject | abortion doula | |
| dc.subject | doula collective | |
| dc.subject | reproductive health | |
| dc.subject.department | Department of Anthropology | |
| dc.title | On Wednesdays we get abortions: How the Abortion Support Collective is increasing and improving access to abortion care on Vancouver Island | |
| dc.type | Honours thesis |