Being a black female student at Unilab/CE: intersectionality and challenges

Abstract

Being a black woman at a university located in two municipalities, Redenção/CE and Acarape/CE, still corresponds to a struggle that is part of both the black movement as well as feminism. Therefore, it is important to recognize intersectionality at the crossroads of identities in affection for permanence in higher education. For this reason, this work seeks to problematize the approach of permanence and the challenges faced by black female students at Universidade da Integração Internacional da Lusofonia Afro-Brasileira (Unilab/CE), considering the complexity of their identities based on intersectionality. Therefore, it aims to discuss the intersectionality of black female students at Unilab, analyzing the challenges faced in academic environments and in the geographical context of Unilab/CE and exploring the influence of the African diaspora on identity and academic trajectory. Methodologically, it has as qualitative research, addressing the issue from both a theoretical and practical point of view, using field notes (2024-2025). The work is part of a larger research project, so as partial results, the perception and reaction of the cities of Acarape and Redenção to the black community affect black female students, with an emphasis on African international students. Likewise, cooperation between the African continent and Unilab affects the identities of black Unilab's women.