28/03/16
By Ariane Mondo – Ascom ISD
Photos: Students and teams CECs Natal, Macaíba and Serrinha
More images in the Facebook album HERE
Much is said about the role of women in contemporary society, taking advantage of March 8th, when the International Women's Day, established by United Nations (UN) since 1977. Students and educators of Science Education Centers (CECs) in Natal (RN), Macaíba (RN) and Serrinha (BA) they go beyond the symbolic date and take advantage of the month of March to critically address some issues related to women. Through videos, cartoons, song lyrics, advertising campaigns and texts, students were encouraged in their respective workshops to think and debate about violence against women, machismo, feminism, inequalities and injustices still suffered by women in society.
CEC educators raised with students examples of prejudices present in everyday life and, in a way, naturalized by many people. With the encouragement of a critical look at the topic, girls and boys produced photo sessions, essays and posters with phrases and reflections on issues related to women and the search for gender equality.
In some of the workshops, the professional trajectories of great women scientists were discussed, such as Nise da Silveira, a Brazilian psychiatrist who pioneered studies on new approaches to treating mental disorders; Graziela Maciel Barroso, Brazilian botanist recognized as the largest cataloger of plants in the country; Polish physics Marie Curie, first woman to win a Nobel Prize and Rosalind Franklin, British biophysicist well known in molecular biology studies.
The idea of the activities held in the week of March 7th to 10th was to comprehensively address issues related to women in society and spread the idea that every day is a day of respect and equal rights. See below, fragments of some essays written by CEC students in Natal and Macaíba:
“I think we should have the same rights, because we are all human.” – Carina Rocha de Santana – Science and Physics Workshop | CEC Escola Alfredo J. Monteverde Natal
“For me, feminism is a subject that is still very little talked about and it is a way for all women to have some of their rights talked about by people.” – Joseane da Silva Souza – Oficina Ciência e Arte | CEC Escola Alfredo J. Monteverde Macaíba
“There is a little word called NO, so if we say NO it's because we don't want it, but unfortunately it seems that most men nowadays don't understand the meaning of the word NO.” – Itamara Ribeiro da Silva – Science and Biology Workshop | CEC Escola Alfredo J. Monteverde Natal
“We should not harass women. I liked our discussion about harassment at Carnival, because we saw how women are harassed. Any woman who is harassed should call 180.” – João Victor Rodrigues Barbosa – Science and Biology Workshop | CEC Escola Alfredo J. Monteverde Natal
“In my opinion, women's day is not just March 8, but every day, because every day women fight for their rights and equality.” – Beatriz de Souza Pereira – Science and History Workshop | CEC Escola Alfredo J. Monteverde Macaíba
“There is a very sexist thought that says that men cannot do household chores, that only women have the right to do them and even, sometimes, that that is all they are good for. We grew up with this sexist concept and are often forced to accept it. But that's not right, because the woman also gets tired. And even with children to take care of, a house to clean and her job, she still has to be beautiful.” – Esther Gomes Cascudo – Science and Chemistry Workshop | CEC Escola Alfredo J. Monteverde Natal
“I think what was most significant in today's class was the discussion about International Women's Day, because we talked about the rights and duties of women and the machismo that exists among some groups of men. We talk about how wrong this opinion men have about women is. Each student gave their opinion and we discussed this topic.” – Ceiça Fernandes Maia – Science and Technology Workshop | CEC Escola Alfredo J. Monteverde Natal
More information about the CECs Escola Alfredo J. Monteverde, in Natal and Macaíba: https://www.institutosantosdumont.org.br/centro-de-educacao-cientifica-escola-alfredo-j-monteverde/
More information about CEC Serrinha, in Bahia: https://www.institutosantosdumont.org.br/centro-de-educacao-cientifica-serrinha-ba/
