Women on stage: care practices with women who attend a harm reduction drop-in center in Maré, Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

The article presents the preliminary results of an action research developed in Espaço Normal, a reference site for harm reduction
located in Maré, a Favela Complex in Rio de Janeiro. The women who attend Espaço Normal have trajectories marked by multiple
forms of violence. The need to qualify the work directed to this audience gave rise to the Elas em cena project, an initiative that
combines a hybrid methodology of research and intervention. As part of the research, closed questionnaires were applied to 62
women and 17 in-depth interviews were carried out with the same audience. Within the scope of the intervention, actions focused
on the care of women were created. The article will present preliminary research data considering two aspects: access to health
and the violence suffered by these women. Next, the main institutional challenges and care strategies designed based on the project experience will be explored.