Enfermeiras obstétricas negras: um olhar sobre a interseccionalidade de gênero, raça e classe no contexto de trabalho.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze, from the perspective of black midwives, the intersectionality of gender, race, and class in their work context. Methods: Exploratory study, with a qualitative approach, guided by the Theory of Intersectionality, by Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989). Individual interviews were conducted online from March to July 2020. 25 black midwives participated, all of whom graduated from the Specialization Course in Midwifery - Rede Cegonha (CEEO II), held at 20 federal educational institutes (IFES), coordinated by the Nursing School of Federal University of Minas Gerais, in Brazil. Hermeneutic-dialectic analysis of the narratives was carried out, with support from the MAXQDA 20 Software for data storage, organization, and coding. Results: The analysis of the black midwives’ narratives allowed the construction of three empirical categories: i) Invisibility of Intersectionality: they perceived a form of oppression regarding Socioeconomic class (12), Professional class (11), Gender (06), Race (03), Ethnicity (02), Sexual orientation (01), Professional competence (23), Professional character (01), Being a drug user (01), Having a monocular view (01). ii) Intersectional inequalities: two or more associated forms of oppression, such as socioeconomic class and race (04); gender and race (02); gender and professional class (01); age and victim of violence (01); and drug user and socioeconomic class (01). iii) Naturalization of inequalities - did not realize or doubted whether it would be a situation of inequality or not. These inequality situations were addressed through dialogue / confrontation, silencing, self-reflection, and the creation and strengthening of support networks. The consequences of inequalities were invisibility, implications for their mental health and their performance as midwives, affront to the women’s human rights, resistance, and confrontations to (re)exist. Conclusions: The Theory of Intersectionality contributed to the understanding of the intersection of gender, race, and class in the context of the work of black midwives, in addition to other forms of oppression. This study can support discussions on the theme, in order to create space at work for a coexistence that recognizes inequalities, but that elaborates and implements strategies for coping and fighting their reproduction in the work environment.