Representation of black women in educational leaflets on women's health

Abstract

Objective To identify the educational leaflets of the Brazilian Ministry of Health on women's health available in the Virtual Health Library; to classify the representation of women in these leaflets according to ethnicity / race / color; to analyze the representation of black women in these leaflets. Method Documentary, descriptive, exploratory study. Results From 2007 to 2019, 19 educational brochures related to women's health were identified, ten of which had images of women. White women were observed in the ten leaflets (100%) that contained images and illustrations, whereas black women were identified in three (30%) of the 10 leaflets. Two analytical categories emerged from the data analysis: “the underrepresented black woman” and “deconstructing stereotypes: the prominent role of black women”. Conclusion This study shows a low representation of black women in educational leaflets. However, when represented, black women are portrayed positively and equally in relation to women of other racial and ethnic groups.