When a coworker insists on touching you in some way during the conversation, when a classmate or coursemate says things like “you managed to pass just because you're a woman” or when a professor says “women's logic is different” , when this happens, make no mistake, you are facing a sexist stance. With the aim of avoiding this type of embarrassment, the Institute of Statistical Mathematics and Scientific Computing at Unicamp (Imecc) created the Elza Group, with the planning of various actions. One of them was the lecture “Women and work in contemporary times" given by the lawyer and researcher at NETSS - Center for Work, Health and Subjectivity Studies at the Faculty of Education at Unicamp, Thaissa Rocha Proni.
The lawyer brought data from a recent survey, released by the Avon Institute, on people's resistance to dialogue about feminism. The survey, carried out with 9.000 people from different cities, showed that 80% of those interviewed who consider themselves against feminism do not want to talk to those who think differently. The conclusion of the study is that the simple omission of terms such as feminism, machismo, toxic masculinity, patriarchy, equity, rape culture or gender can facilitate the building of bridges.
Thaissa also recalled that women are not a minority in the country but make up 51,6% of the Brazilian population. She highlighted that the two major fields of struggle for women are the fight against domestic violence and the promotion of equality at work, the theme of the lecture.
According to the researcher, although protected by law, women do not experience the same realities as men in the workplace. They occupy less than 40 percent of managerial positions, although they are the best qualified percentage.
Political representation also leaves a lot to be desired, it does not reach 11 percent of the seats in the Chamber of Deputies, according to data from 2017. In compensation for domestic work and/or caring for people, women dedicate, on average, 8,6 more hours.
The speaker concluded that change in this scenario can occur with the development of efficient mechanisms that lead to a cultural change in the labor market, “forcing companies and public institutions to not only comply with legislation, but to promote effective measures to promote equal pay and opportunities.”
Elza
The group's name was inspired by three Elzas: Elza Gomide was the first doctor in Mathematics in Brazil; Elza Berquó, demographer, and singer Elza Soares for her story. Established a year ago after an episode of harassment involving a former Imecc student, the group does constant work to combat prejudice and abuse against women and also to value and encourage academic careers, especially in the area of exact sciences. which historically has low female participation.
At Imecc, for example, women account for only twenty percent of the teaching staff, 36% of undergraduate students and 28% of postgraduate students, according to data from professor Anne Bronzi, one of the coordinators of the Elza group. One of the actions to encourage and maintain women in mathematics is a series of lectures that is being prepared with Imecc researchers, invited to talk about their work and life path. (see the programming)
Grupo Elza is also preparing a manual on good conduct and situations to avoid, which has already been presented to freshmen, even in preliminary format. “We still intend to work on campaigns via email and posters, in a constant effort to raise awareness as we welcome new students, staff and practicing teachers throughout the year. As we train professionals who will soon work in society, our idea is that they take the information forward and can contribute to a better society,” he stated.
