Gender in the border and transborder territories at the Brazilian Amazon

Abstract

This proposal, focused in the analysis of the articulations between gender and frontier in the Brazilian Amazon, takes as a reference social dynamics in the cities of Tabatinga, São Gabrielda Cachoeira (AM) and Altamira (PA), chosen because of the relevance they had gain in the last years in the public debate about frontiers and about Amazonia. The purpose of the project, result of my post doctoral research (Pagu -FAPESP 2010/50077-1), is to open a new research line in the already consolidated Núcleo de Estudos de Gênero -PAGU/Unicamp, entirely dedicated to the analysis of how gender works in border and transborder territories. This frame consist in an multi-sited ethnography in three places with relevant differences, and has as general objective (a) understand how gender marks the ways through which people relates with State, meanwhile (b) we pay attention to the way the State, in its own management and frontier administration, produces and articulates gender in those territories. The ethnographic description of certain social practices (illegal/irregular business; mobilities, transits, circulations; "intimate" relations with the States), will put together documentary research and institutional interviews, so it builds a multidimensional view about the articulations suggested. Among the products are: alliances with national and foreign institutions, organization of academic events, scholars training, a database about gender and frontiers, a book about the triple border Brazil/Peru/Colombia, published articles and participation in congresses inside and outside the country. (AU)