Entre Crises e Reencantamentos: a (re)construção de lugares de vida por mulheres imigrantes e refugiadas em Uberlândia-MG

Abstract

This study examines the experiences of immigrant and refugee women in Brazil, with a focus on the city of Uberlândia (MG), analyzing how they navigate gender inequalities, social exclusion, and cultural barriers to construct territorial ties and redefine their identities. Using a phenomenological approach, the research explores the dynamics of resilience and resistance among these women, who face heightened vulnerability due to their migrant status and the socioeconomic realities of urban peripheries. Additionally, this study critiques and deconstructs cultural myths such as the "welcoming Brazil" and the "Brazil that protects women," which often conceal practices of exclusion and gender-based violence. Historical and contemporary data are employed to provide an overview of global humanitarian crises and their impacts on Brazil, with particular attention to migration flows from Haiti, Afghanistan, Syria, and Venezuela. The analysis also highlights the influence of postcolonialism and decolonial feminisms in understanding migration and gender dynamics. Findings indicate that despite the challenges posed by patriarchal social structures and insufficient public policies, these women develop strategies for belonging, transforming marginalized spaces into living places. Furthermore, the research underscores the importance of rethinking academia as an active agent of social inclusion, capable of contributing to the dismantling of stereotypes and the promotion of fairer migration policies. Lastly, it advocates for more effective actions by public authorities and civil society to ensure the rights of migrant and refugee women. The construction of territorial ties is presented not only as a form of resistance but also as a process of social, cultural, and identity transformation that demands academic and political attention.