Navigating Health Capabilities: Ultra-Orthodox Women’s Narratives of Medical Agency and Cultural Negotiation
摘要
This chapter explores the ways in which Israeli Ultra-Orthodox Jewish women exercise agency and empowerment, while balancing religious beliefs and medical expertise when navigating the healthcare system. The study works to determine the ways women realize their health capabilities and what their narratives reveal about their perceptions, values, and empowerment by examining women’s victory stories, their stories describing their successful advocacy for their healthcare needs and preferences. Conducted in Israel in 2019, the research studies 16 focus groups, comprising 128 participants across four Ultra-Orthodox communities. The study analyzes the interplay of rabbinic authority, medical knowledge, and women’s self-representation through storytelling. Findings suggest that Ultra-Orthodox women actively negotiate between religious and medical perspectives, demonstrating assertiveness and resourcefulness in accessing healthcare and in doing so, potentially challenging traditional gender roles within their community. By examining these narratives, the illuminates the unique experiences of this community and contributes to more equitable and responsive healthcare practices.