Garantir a cidadania das mulheres: A indiferença e outros obstáculos

Abstract

This article discusses the structures of sexual and racial power that continue to systematically undercut women’s formal citizenship. The legal and political reforms achieved in many countries have not been accompanied by corresponding changes in social practices, beliefs and attitudes and in conceptions of masculinity and femininity. This obstacle to women’s citizenship has been compounded by poverty, affecting primarily women at worldwide level, and the growing inequality caused by the reduction, privatization or elimination of public services. This has increased the burdens upon women’s daily lives, especially in poor countries. Women’s impoverishment and the wars of the last two decades have fuelled the global sex trade and violence against women. Indifference to these phenomena is based on (and reinforces) the global sexual-racial contract. The author suggests that a basic income for all citizens would contribute towards making a break in the interaction of the contract of mutual indifference with the global sexual-racial contract, and constitute a step towards full citizenship.

Keywords

• citizenship
• crimes against women
• rights
• ethnic and racial discrimination
• poverty
• sexual discrimination