Associações e mulheres: possibilidades de (re)construção identitária e empoderamento

Abstract

The question of identity transformation and empowerment of women in three associations of crafts and cuisine of Minas Gerais was the main theme of this work. From the mapping of associations, with the main requirements for the selection: women have in their composition; are inserted in the solidary economy; have different training time. The associations were selected and interviewed after their presidents, using a roadmap for research. Once the context of associations and obtained some information held interviews of associates in a total of 25 interviews. Despite the difficulties inherent, in the data collections, such as the availability of associates, the method used for this research was the qualitative explanatory study of multiple cases. Contemplating conceptual issues about gender, identity and empowerment, specifically aimed to: understand how the entrance into associations of work impacts on the identity of these workers; to identify whether there are features and or specific processes in these organizations related to gender that influence the construction a new identity for its participants; to verify possible relations between the (re)construction of identity and empowerment of workers. The results show that the identity of some of the members interviewed undergoes a transformation, even if by some unseen, from the entrance to their associations. The issue of empowerment is experienced, where small powers such as self-esteem and independence are incorporated into their lives. It is noteworthy that incorporation of the private world for the world public in some of these cases was beneficial. Regarding associations, what one perceives is a high involvement of members of the interviewed from Associação dos Artesãos e Artistas Populares de Varginha - Assoart and Associação Lavrense dos Artesãos e Arte Culinária - Alac, where many have related posts to the board. However, in Associação Comunitária Viver com Arte - ACVA the involvement of members is low and feelings of mistrust and disbelief are visibly perceived in their statements. Finally, the study brings important contributions to future research and for the understanding of issues involving mainly the female world and relations with the male world.