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WORLD ANTHROPOLOGICAL UNION

CONGRESS 2024​

Paper

Maternal Violence and Vulnerability: The Role of REMA in Advocacy and Research in South America

presenters

    Natália Helou Fazzioni

    Nationality: Brazil

    Residence: Brazil

    UFRJ

    Presence:Online

    Taniele Rui

    Nationality: Brazil

    Residence: Brazil

    University of Campinas

    Presence:Online

Keywords:

Maternal Violence; Anthropological Advocacy; Social Interventions; Public Policy

Abstract:

In recent years, various studies and narratives have documented and denounced different types of violence against women in their maternity experiences in Brazil and Argentina. These violences involves institutional and social interventions, often cloaked in the rhetoric of rights protection. They primarily target mothers in vulnerable situations, including those living in poverty, Black women, Indigenous women, migrants, homeless women, and residents of favelas, among others. These violences not only impacts specific families, communities, and children but mainly targets mothers, who are often suspected or blamed for not fulfilling certain caregiving and protective roles. This leads to a series of moralizing interventions that can further exacerbate these mothers' vulnerabilities. The Rede Transnacional de Pesquisas sobre Maternidades Destituídas, Violadas e Violentadas (REMA) was established to address this context. Funded by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), REMA operates on three main fronts: scientific dissemination, research production, and collaborative actions with women, social movements, public managers, and other professionals (especially in health, social assistance, and law). This paper aims to present how we leverage anthropological knowledge to produce more practical and engaged insights, mobilizing other social actors around the network's objectives. Our approach involves interdisciplinary methodologies that combine ethnographic research with participatory action, aiming to create a supportive network that not only documents and analyzes these violences but also actively works towards mitigating them. By fostering collaborations with diverse stakeholders, REMA seeks to promote more inclusive and responsive public policies that address the multifaceted challenges faced by mothers in vulnerable situations. In this presentation, we will detail our strategies and outcomes, demonstrating the importance of integrating anthropological perspectives with advocacy and community engagement to effect meaningful social change.