Women, the city, and spatial citizenship examining identity formation and employment amongst Afro-Brazilian women in Rio De Janeiro and Belo Horizonte

Abstract

This thesis explores the way that experiences of citizenship are specifically shaped at the city level in urbanized environments. The way that people navigate the city is often contingent upon varying degrees of access and justice in different areas of life activity. I argue that access to citizenship is as much an economic endeavor as it is a civic endeavor. With public space as the realm of social interaction and exchange, this research illustrates how citizenship, belonging, and identification is formed in the city space and is reflected in employment outcomes for Afro-Brazilian women.