Domination and Power Relations in Brazilian Agriculture: A Gender Analysis of the Concept of Adequate Food

vol. 17, n. 2 (2018) • Ethic@ - Revista Internacional de Filosofia Moral

Autor: Tânia Aparecida Kuhnen, Daniela Rosendo

Resumo:

The main subject of this paper is the concept of adequate food defined by the Brazilian Law No 11.346/06, whose implications are discussed through a gender – especially ecofeminist – lens. The Law defines the right to food that is also considered a fundamental right in the Brazilian Constitution. At the same time, the Brazilian economy is centered on crops production in a large-scale farming system for exportation. Based on that, the following question is addressed: is the concept of adequate food compatible with the economic privilege attributed to the massive agricultural system and to factory farms? The aim is to show that they are incompatible and the alternative is a defense of organic family farming and a plant-based diet, as it is presented in the  “Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population” (2014). Another problem that arises from this issue is that agriculture in this large-scale dimension reflects structures of power and domination (Karen J. Warren) and animals used for corpse eating disappears, becoming absent referents (Carol J. Adams). It reflects the structure of a patriarchal society, where men have power over women, animals, and plants. The hypothesis is that in family farming women can participate more in the decision-making process, reflecting equality and justice in the private sphere. For that, the Special Reports on adequate food will be considered, mainly the one related to the mission of the Special Rapporteur to Brazil, whose analysis brings information on the gender category. This analysis draws attention to the situation of women in their struggles to fulfill the right to adequate food.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5007/1677-2954.2018v17n2p259

Texto Completo: https://periodicos.ufsc.br/index.php/ethic/article/view/1677-2954.2018v17n2p259/38234

Palavras-Chave: Adequate food,Agriculture,Domination,Ecofemin

Ethic@ - Revista Internacional de Filosofia Moral


ethic@ - An international Journal for Moral Phylosophy - uma publicação do Núcleo de Ética e Filosofia Política da UFSC, tem como objetivo principal publicar trabalhos inéditos (artigos, resenhas, entrevistas, traduções), com excelência e vanguarda na área de Filosofia Moral Moderna e Contemporânea.