Experiências, memórias e resistências de mulheres trabalhadoras do sexo em Manaus (1990-2019)

Abstract

This thesis proposes to investigate the organizational processes of the movements of prostitutes, here perceived and called sex workers. The research permeates the discussions of work, female bodies, control strategies and stigmas. The prostitute stigma in this work is understood as a social marker strictly aimed at all women - regardless of sex work - and I seek to show how stigma affects the lives of these workers and how it becomes a guiding thread of these women's social struggles not only in the city of Manaus, but in the country. It seeks to demonstrate the traces of the struggles of prostitutes in Brazil to finally arrive at the foundation of the Manaus Association. In this way, it is possible to observe how social stigmas are produced and reproduced over time and spaces in the lives of these workers. The research also seeks to analyze the historical processes of formation and disputes of the struggles faced by the Association of Sex Workers of Manaus city. The Manaus association was named “As Amazonas” and was in constant activities from 2008 to 2019. It is interesting to investigate the organizational path of the institution in that period, the ways in which the Association supported the construction of new perspectives on sex work and for the breaking of prejudices and stigmas related to these workers. Emphasis on political partnerships, especially with regard to actions aimed at the construction and execution of public policies aimed at the prevention of HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections. Issues such as body care, condom use, school education, children and families, workplaces, racism and sexism, sexual exploitation of children are addressed as the sources themselves provoke the issues. The set of sources that make up the thesis are: Interviews, information leaflets, institutional bulletins, images, newspapers, minutes, bylaws, registration forms, official letters, reports, mapping, Bills of laws and a documentary. A set of documents that was carefully collected and studied, each source with its methodological specificity, but not treated hierarchically, all are important for the composition of the Thesis.