By Victoria Page
Photo: Galpão Bela Maré
In recent decades, some progress has been made towards recognizing and supporting initiatives for gender and racial equity, as well as tackling other forms of social inequality based on economics and religion, for example, which are also connected with sexism and the racism. Since 2015, the efforts present in these initiatives have been echoed in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), launched in 2015 by the United Nations (UN). However, there is still a long way to go before gender and racial equity is achieved globally.
Persistent gender and racial inequality has extremely violent impacts on women and girls, especially those of color, in almost all areas of their lives, including health, education and employment. Men and boys, however, are also negatively impacted by these inequalities, such as harmful gender norms that naturalize the use of violence to “assert masculinity” against women and other men.
The report “This is not life for you”: Masculinities and non-violence in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil brings together results from the International Survey on Men and Gender Equality – IMAGES, carried out by Promundo in the context of urban violence in Rio de Janeiro. Research has shown a clear connection between inequitable gender norms and men's use of violence, as well as a greater likelihood of exposure to violence and the continuation of these cycles. These intersecting inequalities have a devastating effect on the well-being of individuals and communities.
Gender inequalities in Brazil are complex and deeply rooted, and can be connected to dynamics related to racism and cutting across structural inequalities, patriarchy, harmful gender norms, individual attitudes and behaviors. This context requires changes at multiple levels – institutional, community and individual.
In this same context, peripheral artistic and cultural production has historically been constituted as a space for contesting gender and racial inequalities, among others. Challenging the status quo, there are numerous examples of art and culture from different peripheries in Brazil that question harmful gender norms and racism, seeking to transform the everyday realities of people affected by this violence.
To better understand these practices, Promundo embarks on an innovative research project, in global partnership with Goldsmiths University, University of London and in local partnership with the Institute of International Relations of the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (IRI – PUC-Rio) and the Maria and João Aleixo Institute (IMJA); as well as with support from the Research Council of the United Kingdom (RCUK). Lasting four years, the research project will address gender and racial equity, art and culture through the GlobalGRACE – Gender and Global Cultures of Equity initiative. The GlobalGRACE initiative is made up of six partner countries: the United Kingdom, in the coordination role, South Africa, Bangladesh, Brazil, the Philippines and Mexico, in the research conducting role, each focused on a different aspect of gender equity, art and culture.
As a specialist in working with men and boys to promote gender equity, Promundo will conduct research in Brazil focusing on non-violent masculinities in the context of urban violence, with a particular focus on music, dance and graffiti. Based on the expertise of IMJA and IRI – PUC-Rio, the project has a particular interest in the production of knowledge on urban peripheries, especially in the Conjunto de Favelas da Maré, the main research site, and on artists from the periphery as subjects of this decolonial process and which questions unequal hegemonic power.
In Brazil, in March, the national launch meeting of the project was held. Starting this week, Promundo will meet with all international partners in a 10-day Partnership and Training Event (PCE), in London, to begin research in each country. In 2019, Brazilian partners will host the 2nd PCE event, including activities and sessions open to the public.
Many of the activities in the coming years will be decided and built directly in partnership with artists and activists from Conjunto de Favelas da Maré. To culminate our work program, at the end of the 4 years, we will create a major public artistic intervention, which will be created together with these artists and activists. The coming years promise to be full of multiple activities, artistic interventions and research on art, culture, gender equity and race.
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