THE GARDEN OF STORIES: REVIEW OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN A RIO DE JANEIRO SLUM

Abstract

This article is the result of a period of research on violence against women in Brazil. It arises from the work as psychologist in an integral institution of the national policy to prevent and cope such violence, located in a favela in Rio de Janeiro. Through a fieldwork with women affected by different forms of aggression, this research intends to consider possible actions against the violence that these women suffer. In spite of the fact that in Brazil a specific legislation exists to cope the problem, the statistics continue being alarming and the naturalization of violence in the favelas is constant. Our aim is to understand the peculiar trajectories that define the women that suffers violence in a favela. We seek to understand how violence against women is (re)signified in the context of urban violence. The methodologies that are used range from participant observation to life stories and discourse analysis from a biographical-narrative approach. Our conclusions showed the need to recognize that women are in a particular situation of vulnerability. A set of inequalities are associated with violence and we need a comprehensive understanding of the scenario in which they live to face the problem. The challenge is to develop comprehensive policies and explore alternative forms to guarantee a possible experience of citizenship.

Keywords

• Violence against the woman
• urban violence
• favela
• life stories
• discourse analysis