A economia solidária na inclusão produtiva de mulheres do Programa Bolsa Família no Município de Canoas (RS): articulações políticas e efeitos na superação da pobreza

Abstract

This study looks at poverty problems and alternatives for confronting and overcoming it. Poverty is not a particular issue, resulting from one’s desire or character, but a consequence of the unequal distribution of the expansionism of the capitalism which is based on the consolidation of concepts such as homo economicus and market economy. This hegemonic view persists until today, although there are alternative ways of analyzing human rationality in its economical dimension. Solidarity economy is a phenomenon that expresses this anti-hegemonic reason in this context. The aim of this study is to analyze solidarity economy as a possibility of overcoming poverty among women who are beneficiary from the so-called Programa Bolsa Família (PBF), taking into consideration the multidimensional effects, economical activities and government strategies triggered by the social assistance policy. Solidarity economy started being part of the Brazilian institutional strategies for confronting poverty in 2011 when Plano Brasil sem Miséria (BSM) was implemented by the Ministério do Desenvolvimento Social e Combate à Fome (MDS). This research has a qualitative approach based on a case study in Canoas city, and is divided into three phases: exploratory, in which bibliographical and documental research was done, field research, in which observation strategies and semi-structured interviews were applied, and data analysis and interpretation, in which the focus was content analysis. Nine beneficiaries of the PBF were interviewed, five of whom worked in solidarity economic ventures, two women linked to entities from the Third Sector agreed to the Municipal Department of Social Development (SMDS) and two leaders of the solidarity economy movement of Canoas. The results show that there is no articulation between solidarity economy actions (promoted by the Municipal Department of Economic Development) and productive inclusion promoted by social assistance (even when these approach the principles and economic practices of solidarity). The vast majority of women pointed out improvements in material living conditions after entering the solidarity economy, but without obtaining financial autonomy. Progress has also been identified, especially related to socialization, self-esteem and health. However, the lack of articulation and dialogue contributes to the fact that the solidarity economy has only a complementary role in overcoming the multidimensional poverty of women in the PBF and inserted in productive inclusion actions.