DISSERTATIONS 2025

HOME, MEMORY AND REFUGE: EXPERIENCES OF WOMEN IN INVOLUNTARY DISLOCATION

Monique Hanauer Silveira

Advisor: Profa. Dra. Liliana Liviano Wahba
Keywords: refugee women; involuntary dislocation; life experience; analytical psychology.

ABSTRACT: This dissertation is part of the context of involuntary displacement and aimed to understand the experiences of displacement and resettlement of women who were involuntarily displaced to Brazil, and specifically, to investigate the reconstruction of the sense of home and the challenges and resources encountered. Four experiential group meetings were held with the participation of six women living in Curitiba/Paraná. The meetings were recorded and transcribed in full. The analysis of the information was based on the thematic analysis proposed by Ezzy. The analysis of the information was supported by the ATLAS.ti software. As a result, six themes emerged: the journey; feelings expressed; challenges; coping resources; dwelling and perspectives for the future. Based on the themes, three transversal axes of analysis were proposed: ruptures and reconstructions; memory and housing; and writing history. The participants' experience indicates a process of numerous ruptures and reconstructions intertwined since the first signs of adversity in the country of origin. The rupture with the implicit support provided by the house and the place produces disorientation and suffering expressed verbally and non-verbally, inscribed in corporeality. The reconstruction of a sense of home is slow and arduous, linked to relationships, affections and sensations involved. The main challenge faced is prejudice and the label of refugees. Faith, friendships among migrant women, and their life values, such as motherhood and work, stand out as coping resources. The participants demonstrated a strong sense of agency and their future plans include purchasing their own home and expanding their professional activities. In order to establish new roots, it is necessary to sacrifice the desire and fantasy of returning to the country of origin. This study was carried out with the support of the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel – Brazil (CAPES) – Financing Code 001.