Mulheres catadoras de materiais recicláveis na rede recicla Seridó: condições de gênero e desafios sócio-organizativos

Abstract

The research aimed to investigate social implications from the management and inadequate disposal of solid waste regarding the living, working, and organizational conditions of female recyclable material collectors, more specifically members with the Recicla Seridó Network, in the State of Rio Grande do Norte. The study aims to analyze how patriarchal gender relations are structured in their daily lives, considering that women are more exposed to social and economic vulnerabilities than men. The object analysis was guided from the theoreticalmethodological approach of the dialectical-historical materialism, enabling the apprehension of social determinations in the historical perspective of totality, considering its contradictions, and by performing necessary mediations to allow apprehension of the concrete reality movement. The qualitative research included field empirical activities by using direct observation and semistructured interviews as instruments, anchored in an extensive literature review concerning the topic. The intention is to unveil the objects’ appearances and perceive it in its concrete reality. The research questions, objectives, and material contents from the bibliography, documents, observations, and interviews were treated based on content analysis techniques and procedures. The information acquired in this process resulted in the present master's thesis, which, among its intentions, aims to contribute to both the academic and professional education in Social Work to society and to female recyclable material collectors. It is necessary to indicate ways to face difficulties related to solid waste management, aiming to help with the construction of a fairer society, free of exploitation, class domination, and race issues, as well as patriarchal gender relations, in which human well-being is placed above the reproduction of capital.