Effects of “Bolsa Família” management on daily life of rural Quilombola women

Abstract

Women stand out in the management of the Bolsa Família. This has produced displacements in gender relations and work in rural contexts. This research investigated the forms of management of the Bolsa Família and analyzed its effects on the daily lives of 72 women living in two Quilombola communities, through semi-structured interviews. Bolsa Família has been used to meet conditions in relation to children, and maintenance of the family. However, women tend to other domestic and personal needs. It can be observed that, in addition to complementing family income, the benefit has had an impact in reducing the burden of domestic and field work, in increasing food security and mobility, as well as in changing established family and gender patterns. These aspects point to the expansion of the degrees of autonomy identified by the participants themselves in their daily lives, reverberating in different ways of living and working.

Keywords

• “bolsa família” program
• quilombola women
• daily life