Avanços e limites da política de enfrentamento à violência de gênero e serviços de atendimento às mulheres no município de João Pessoa PB

Abstract

This study analyzes improvements and limitations in the implementation and effectuation of the policy for tackling gender-based violence, and in assistance services for women in the city of João Pessoa/PB, results of theoretical and empirical reflections from the Social Service Masters Course of Federal University of Paraíba. From a critical-analytical perspective, we could understand the inequalities and asymmetries between men and women, which are results of a society established by a patriarchal logic. We learned that the violence against women is intrinsic to this model of organization and is not restricted to the interpersonal relations only, but also underlies the gender relations. This complex issue is a political and social matter, making the state intervention mandatory. This is a qualitative-quantitative research. The data collection method consisted of interviews followed by a content analysis of the respondents answers, based on the theoretical framework guiding this study. The universe of this research was comprised of 11 women users of the Centro de Referência da Mulher Ednalva Bezerra, a city public agency. The research was carried out from November 2009 to February 2010. The discussion and analysis presented corroborate the guiding questions of this research. We found that the gender-based violence becomes more complex and ambiguous within an affective relationship, making difficult for the victims to lodge a complaint. The approval of the Maria da Penha Law, which curbs gender-based violence in its domestic and family forms, does not translate into effectuation of the assistance services to which the law refers. The impunity for perpetrators also contributes to the reproduction and permanence of this phenomenon. Also, the absent, insufficient, and non-prioritized assistance services from the state reveal its position over the issue, defending class interests and the patriarchal logic. Finally, we learned that the achievements of women are uncontested, with profound changes in society; however, the rights and the broadening of citizenship for women are limited by the landmarks of the capitalist society, which is permeated by the patriarchal logic of gender.