Machist institutional violence in federal universities

Abstract

Institutional sexist violence in federal universities constitutes a structural phenomenon that affects the professional and personal trajectories of female public employees—both academic and administrative—revealing historical and persistent inequalities in higher education. This article presents an analytical excerpt from an ongoing qualitative study, focusing on the organizational and symbolic dimensions of institutional violence that affect the recognition and working conditions of women at the university. The objective is to analyze how these forms of violence manifest in everyday institutional life and what effects they produce on women employees’ permanence, health, and opportunities for professional recognition. The research is based on a literature review of feminist and gender studies, documentary analysis of institutional regulations and policies, and the organization of a discussion circle with public employees from the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS). This empirical material made it possible to identify perceptions and experiences related to aspects such as the double work burden, access to leadership positions, moral and sexual harassment, and inequalities in processes of academic recognition. The preliminary results indicate that sexist institutional violence operates in both everyday and structural ways, producing gendered, racialized, and occupational hierarchies. They also reveal gaps in institutional responses, which often minimize or render women’s experiences invisible. It is concluded that confronting these forms of violence requires transformations in university management practices, a review of institutional policies, and the implementation of prevention and accountability measures capable of promoting gender equity and safe academic environments. The study contributes to the academic debate on gender-based violence by highlighting how institutional and organizational dynamics reproduce inequalities within the university space, offering insights for the development of more inclusive and effective university policies.