The Marginalization of Women in Public Spaces
This research kit focuses on the inequalities and injustices that many Latin American women and members of the LGBTQ community often face in an urban context. It appeals to college students and professors who wish to further their understanding specifically of gender issues in Latin American cities. This research kit allows one to closely examine the ways in which urban experiences are framed by gender and sexuality, even to this day. This is a collection of extensive research through primary and secondary sources that will help illuminate these issues. The overall goal of this research kit is to raise awareness and increase understanding of how the experience of urban space varies for women and members of the LGBTQ community. Once awareness is established, steps can be made to mitigate and hopefully eliminate these deep and long standing gender inconsistencies.
Research Questions
How do women and members of the LGBTQ community experience gender discrimination and inequality in a patriarchal society? How has this experience evolved over the years? How have these groups of people responded to injustice?
“Power & Equality” by Mana5280 on Unsplash
Overview of Research
“Smash the Patriarchy” photo by Chloe S. on Unsplash
Primary Sources Annotated Bibliography
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Violence against women in Latin America and the Caribbean : A comparative analysis of population-based data from 12 countries. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/22295
This site is an academic journal and primary source by the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that seeks to examine the connection between violence against Latin American women and access to healthcare. This source compares data from twelve different countries to explain violence against Latin American women in a particular region. The source aims at motivating policy makers and drawing attention to the issue. It contains data and personal accounts of women in various Latin American countries at the time of its publication in 2012.
Diaz, J. (2021, October 15). How #niunamenos grew from the streets of Argentina into a regional women’s movement. NPR. Retrieved November 11, 2022, from https://www.npr.org/2021/10/15/1043908435/how-niunamenos-grew-from-the-streets-of-argentina-into-a-regional-womens-movemen#:~:text=Press-,Six%20years%20on%2C%20the%20work%20of%20%23NiUnaMenos%20activists%20in%20Latin,rights%20movement%20across%20Latin%20America.
This source is a primary source website that defines the initial Ni Una Menos movement in Argentina and explains how it has sparked further feminist movements and protests in other Latin American countries. The site is replete with vital first-hand information and accounts of the Ni Una Menos feminist movements across the country. Further, this source explains how the Ni Una Menos movement has transition and evolved to protesting against other pertinent gender issues such as abortion and sexual and reproductive rights.
UN Women and the Government of Mexico City launch the campaign #noesdehombres to tackle sexual harassment in public transport. UN Women – Americas and the Caribbean. (n.d.). Retrieved November 8, 2022, from https://lac.unwomen.org/en/noticias-y-eventos/articulos/2017/03/no-es-de-hombres-onu-mujeres
This is a primary, academic report from the United Nations Women group regarding gender-based violence and sexual harrassment against women in Latin American countries and cities, specifically in Mexico. The report discusses ways to make cities, in general, but also public transportation safe for women and girls in Latin America. The source is full of statistical data and firsthand accounts that seek to explain how these gender injustices have truly become a global issue, not one that strictly defines Latin American countries.
Secondary Sources Annotated Bibliography
Cuba, C. (2022, February 3). LGBT rights in Cuba: What travelers should know before going! Queer In The World. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://queerintheworld.com/lgbt-rights-in-cuba/
This is a secondary source regarding machismo culture in Latin America, specifically in Cuba. This article helps to explain lingering machismo traditions and the recent change in Latin American countries over the years. The source contends that, while Cuba has had a turbulent past when it comes to gender issues, in recent decades, the country has shown signs of promise.
Gender equality. UNICEF. (n.d.). Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://www.unicef.org/lac/en/gender-equality
This is an academic secondary source about gender equality in Latin American and the Caribbean. The source seeks to explain how gender inequality and discrimination impacts women and adolescent girls living in these specific areas. Specifically, however, the organization explains ways to mitigate and resolve gender discrepancies, unlike other sources I have found.
Londoño, E. (2019, October 5). ‘a caricature of the Patriarchy’: Argentine feminists remake Tango. The New York Times. Retrieved November 5, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/05/world/americas/argentina-tango-gender.html?smid=url-share
This article, by the New York Times, is a secondary source regarding the redefinition of tango by Argentinian women. This source explains that while, traditionally, men have presumably taken the lead in the tango (while the woman follows), this will soon no longer be the case. The Times suggests that feminist groups in Argentina have recently sought to redefine tango music by breaking away from traditional gender roles and placing women in the lead. With this, the source aims to redefine gender roles and the future for Latin American women, allowing for gender justice.
Mexico, C. (2021, August 3). LGBT rights in Mexico: What travelers should know before going! Queer In The World. Retrieved November 10, 2022, from https://queerintheworld.com/lgbt-rights-in-mexico/
This is a secondary source that explains the injustices that surround women and LGBT+ people in Mexico. The article points to Mexico’s long-standing history of Catholicism as reinforcing machismo attitudes in the country’s everyday life and culture. These attitudes fostered a mentality in certain Latin American countries that men know best and other marginalized groups (such as women and LGBT people) are lesser than.
Sáez, E. (n.d.). Machismo: Toxic masculinity within Hispanic culture. Best of SNO. Retrieved November 7, 2022, from https://bestofsno.com/44900/features/machismo-toxic-masculinity-within-hispanic-culture/.
This is a secondary source by author Saez that helps explain machismo ideology in Latin American cities. The article explains how a machismo philosophy is often used to justify toxic masculinity. This mentality masks or distorts the reality of harmful, detrimental effects that toxic masculinity plays on Latin American women and society as a whole.
Glossary
cisgender a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth
gender a person’s sense and expression of their maleness or femaleness (often determined by culture)
gender-based violence harmful acts (sexual, physical, mental, and ecomonic acts) directed at an individual based on their gender in public or private settings
gender expression the way in which an individual enacts their thoughts and beliefs about their gender
hegemony dominance, influence, or authority by one group over another
heteronormative relating to a worldview that promotes heterosexuality
homophobic discrimination or prejudice against gay people
machismo strong or aggressive masculine male pride
marginalize to treat a social group (gender) as insignificant
misogyny ingrained prejudice against women
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