Fragile Cities and Gender Based Violence: The Case of Rio de Janeiro

Abstract

Gendered dimensions of violence in urban contexts are largely unexplored. This chapter aims to understand the impact of disorganized city growth on violence against women (VAW) in either public or private spaces, as well as the relationship between urban violence and VAW. The focus is the city of Rio de Janeiro, where, despite reductions in lethal violence, there has been an increase in other types of violence, including rape and body injury, both of which have disproportionally affects women. The analysis found that violence against women is part of a continuum of other forms of violence and criminality that reflects specific models of masculinity based on force and virility. In the neighbourhoods where large parts of the territory have very limited state presence and are dominated by criminal activities - drug trafficking factions and militias - these models of masculinity are nearly omnipresent. This chapter proposes that in order to truly reduce violence in Rio, specific gender considerations ought to be taken when framing policies.