OWL SPACE: For the right of children and women

By Marielle Franco, Pâmela Passos and Amanda Mendonça

When we were presented with the idea of Marielle's possible candidacy, I remember our eyes meeting immediately. Without saying a word, we knew what we, the "girls of education," as she called us, were feeling: Finally! A woman who exemplified in her body and mind all dimensions of social life that were marginalized and neglected in wider political debates and actions. She brought a concreteness to all the institutional political disputes about intersectionality, marks of its own identity, seen through the prism of Marielle's soul. Since the outset of her campaign, Marielle's candidacy has shown its dedication to enabling and engaging political participation for everyone – regardless of gender, sexuality, class or race. Her inclusive and diverse appeal is the foundation upon which her political and electoral mandate was built. This inclusive approach was especially directed towards black and/or poor women, associated with a questioning of the sexual division of labour, such as, for example, attention to the non-reproduction of gender roles in the distribution of campaign tasks.

• Language: English
• Publisher: n-1 edições
• Release date: Jun 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9786581097172

Book preview

Note from the authors

Law of the Owl Space – Espaço Coruja. Still so vivid in our minds are the warm-hearted debates we were all involved in during the course of this project, full of conviction and giving ourselves in many ways to make this happen. Many people immersed themselves in it with body and soul, studying, researching, developing strategies, listening and dialoguing with different sectors of society. Just like everything proposed under the auspices of the political mandate of Marielle Franco – following her election as Councilwoman of the city of Rio de Janeiro in 2017, the project became as collective as possible, and everyone was part of it. But we cannot fail to mention the work of the communications team with Luna, Rafa and Fernandinha, who were tireless in thinking of ways to develop dialogue and present the project to those whom it would actually benefit. In addition, they continuously sought to translate our concerns, our aims, our image, to be best understood by the communities we worked with. It should not be forgotten that whilst this project was definitively not, the support from the team may be loosely termed ‘daycare’! Mônica Francisco, Iara Amora, Mariana Gomes and Flavinha, advisors, all engaged in popular social movements, had the difficult mission of composing the Working Group we formed, of being speakers in this debate and arduous defenders of this project. This voluntary group went above and beyond the mandate and counted on the collaboration of Bárbara Amado André, Flávia de Lamare and Lidiane Lobo, who brought a view from the school’s ground. Their experience and tranquility was essential, whilst simultaneously, the strength and steadfastness of their arguments were central to the development the process. And we cannot not fail to mention Roberta Eugênio. Beta provided critical legal support and together, we fought for the viability of the project. It is also essential to mention the partnership and companionship with which throughout this process we counted on the team of Councilman Tarcísio Motta, co-author of the Project, especially the support and assistance of dear Claudia Trindade. Finally, we, Amanda Mendonça and Pâmella Passos, authors of this book, just gave language to a collective struggle. This note is to indicate, as it could not be otherwise, that this project was thought of and made by many hands.

I am, because we are

Slogan used in Marielle’s