Coletivos feministas universitários e violência de gênero no centro-oeste e Distrito Federal

Abstract

This thesis aims to analyze the emergence and action of two feminist collectives in different universities in the Midwest region of Brazil: Coletivo Afetadas, at University of Brasília, and Coletivo Pagu, at Federal University of Goiás. In an institutionalized context of gender violence I seek to reflect and debate the forms of organization and political articulation of these women in academic spaces, understand how these groups combat violence against women, and describe what the demands and difficulties that affect this form of activism are. I also aim to understand the construction of this coordinated and integrated organization of feminist social movements in the referred universities. How do these collectives perceive themselves in the universities? How do they decide their agendas and actions? What are the meanings these women attribute to the experiences they go through? Are there changes in the policies or actions of the universities due to the actions of the collectives inside and outside the academic space? Do these collectives articulate their agendas with other social movements? To answer such questions, I use the multiple-case-study methodology based on ethnographic research, making use of participant observation techniques and informal conversations and interactions online over a three-year period (2015-2018). The fieldwork shows the important role of women in academic spaces, and how representatives and directors of the institutions have disrespected it by being conniving and permissive in various contexts, contributing to the perpetuation of an environment of rape culture in the universities. This study highlights the potential of the collectives to mobilize themselves in the defense of women's rights. The conclusion focuses on the relevance of spontaneous organization in feminist collectives as a form of resistance by these women who suffer daily the consequence of the perpetuation of sexism at universities and outside them.