EMPODERAMENTO LEGAL DAS TRABALHADORAS DA ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA: UMA PESQUISA-AÇÃO

Abstract

The participation of women in the labor market has increased in recent decades; however, it still faces inequalities, particularly in reconciling maternity and employment. In Primary Health Care (PHC), these challenges are particularly pronounced, as women workers are overbur­dened by both their professional responsibilities and family care. The lack of clarity about their labor rights strengthens gender inequalities and limits the full development of their roles as workers, women, and mothers. This study aimed to investigate the perceptions and experiences of women workers in Primary Health Care in Foz do Iguaçu regarding the challenges of reconciling maternity and employment, with emphasis on their knowledge and exercise of labor rights. Based on this process, educational materials were developed to contribute to the legal empowerment of these professionals, strengthening their autonomy and valorization within the Unified Health System (SUS), in conformity with the principles of equity and dignity in health care work. Using a qualitative approach of action research, the study involved participant observation and dialogue with Primary Health Care workers. Based on the identified needs, an educational folder and an informational video were prepared and distributed in Family Health Units, clarifying rights such as maternity leave, employment stability, breastfeeding breaks, and absence to care for sick relatives. The evaluation of the intervention reveals that knowledge of their rights enables workers’ agency, increasing their awareness of the paths to claim their fulfillment. The methodology highlights the transformative potential of permanent health education in building more fair, equal, and humanized workplaces.