“Aprendendo e mudando a vida da gente”: a construção de lideranças femininas nas ocupações de moradia urbana Pascoal Alágio e Castanhal em Parintins/AM (2016-2020

Abstract

This work is the result of an ethnographic research into two urban occupancy in Parintins/AM, Castanhal e Pascoal Alagio. The aim was to identify the build-up process of female leadership from the standpoint of life histories and experiences in the social movements for home ownership rights. I could observe that these occupancies turn spaces for social interactions and political socialization for women and it’s here that they start to engage in assemblies and meet-ups, in political caucuses and exchanging life experiences with one another. Female engagement inside these social movements and into these social caucuses turned possible a sensibilization on crucial issues, and were a fundamental contribution to the construction of a strong awareness on social rights and a profound political engagement. During their participation in the social movements, the women will learn ways of engage and fight for more than just individual issues and individual objective fulfillment, actually building community and lifelong ties with other women. In order to tackle political engagement of these women in leadership positions I consider the intersectional relations built during a lifelong entanglement of shared life experiences. The obstacles and challenges encountered by them, recalled into their narratives, are wonderful examples of gender relations, social and community care, family ties and maternity.