Illustration by Luciana Nabuco
Luciana Nabuco is a visual artist, writer, 'macumbeira' (practioner of Brazilian-African religions). her work has been featured in exhibitions in Brazil and France. As an art researcher, she specialises in female memories and African-indigenous religion.
DIVAS Project
Self-Value & Self-Esteem
Divas Project is about the self-worth and self-esteem of socially vulnerable CIS and trans women and LGBTQI+ people. It was set up in 2017, with the aim of fostering social, economic, and cultural empowerment for those who are often marginalised in our society. Diva is the Latin word for goddess, in Portuguese!
The project supports people in regaining their self-esteem through a glow up with a professional photo shoot; mentorships; workshops in desired areas for self-improvement; and access to a network of women who are willing to support them. We want to bring back the ‘Diva’ which is inside all of us! We want to value people regardless of their physical bodies, gender, age, profession, religion or place they are from!
We select a Diva every month, then we make a plan to meet their needs and match them with our network. We have been supporting people with mentorship sessions and professional training.
DIVAS means to us:
According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), women still receive an average of 70% of the salary that men receive. Unemployment rates among women is 60% higher than men. Being a woman is not easy, particularly in Brazil!
But it is not enough, seeing the map of violence of 2015 - UN (United Nations Organization), Brazil ranks 5th in the world in feminicide, the gender motivated killing of women. This has driven us to start the DIVAS Project as an act of resistance and empowerment of other women.
Through instilling self-worth and self-esteem in people who are often marginalised, we are trying to alleviate the pressures of discrimination, racism and prejudice they face every day. We are also trying to join forces in resistance of a patriarchal society and the current political environment.
We are based in Bragança, which is situated in the North of Brazil, not far from the Amazon. Bragança is in the micro-region of Bragantina, which is situated in the northeast of the state of Pará.
Women have been facing a lot of challenges everywhere in the World. In Bragança, a small city of Para some of us can feel disempowered at times. This is a pioneering initiative in Bragança, focused on personal development.
The Divas project was born from a group of friends talking about women’s challenges. We were noticing the increase in the numbers of women feeling drained and hopeless.
So, we decided to join forces to offer people some ‘painkillers’ through a glow up with professional photography session, and access to professional development workshops and mentoring sessions.
Caroline Marques
To participate in the Divas Project is first of all a great honour and satisfaction, because the learning is mutual. Being part of the project made me grow as a human being and I became more altruistic. I want to seek self-knowledge, empowerment, sorority, and to positively nourish self-esteem and to engage in social justice. Furthermore, it gave me the opportunity to practice solidarity actions to contribute to the wellbeing of society.
Emily Karine
Ana Paula Ribeiro
Marylin Oliveira
Mayka Melo
Maria Adrielly Pinheiro Botelho
The Divas Project works on donations only! If you would like to support them, please contact:
Instagram: @projetodivas_ Facebook: Projeto Divas Bragança-Pa Email: @projetodivas_
