“Eu tenho aquele prazer e tenho uma responsabilidade”: Um ensaio sobre lideranças rurais femininas em comunidades do Maranhão

Abstract

This study aims to bethink the women leaders working in communities in inner of Maranhão state. In this sense, will be highlighted contents related to this topic. From the interviews of ten women leaders, it analyzes their social context, highlighting the implications of community relations - a key component for the realization of union links between residents, aiding the building of place of solidarity and cooperation notions. It enables the formation of a coexistence, protection and support atmosphere. It also notes that Maranhão agrarian space still maintains a humble appearance. It is common to observe poverty scenarios that can be thrusters to situations of inequality in land distribution. It is a current fact visible in the routine of the interviewees. Rural work is a coping mechanism of deprivation and exclusion conditions. However, for women, this is a historic problem, once they were not identified as such, being directed to them only household chores. To overcome this situation, they sought as an alternative the organization in women's movements to be recognized as rural workers. The reality of course is complex, especially for women struggling to deconstruct the patriarchal logic under which are still submitted. Trying to get out of these cultural ties is permeated by struggles, questions, awareness and violence, too. The contribution to theoretically discuss this dissertation uses Community Psychology, articulating with the field research to elucidate the researcher‟s views on the subject. Thus, by a means of investigation, it points out some issues that deserve attention. Community environment seem as fertile ground for structuring a community leader from the trust placed in it by other inhabitants and personal will to bring about change. It also highlighted that relations of support, solidarity and loveliness are a fundamental part of its dynamic and it can be seen that unequal relations between women and men are still customary in the life of the countryside, but a long way has been traveled for change. This shows the leaders interviewed already manifest as political and processing subjects.