Empathy and respect! These were the words reinforced by the President of the Court of Justice of the State of Tocantins (TJTO) and President of the Gender and Racial Equity Management Committee, Justice Etelvina Maria Sampaio Felipe, in her speech at the solemn opening of the III Judiciary Week for Preventing and Combating Harassment and Discrimination in all its forms, this Monday (May 6th). The initiative of the Superior School of the Judges of the State of Tocantins (Esmat) runs until Friday (10th), in the auditorium of the TJTO.
"It's a very important agenda, especially in terms of working relationships. A work environment cultivated through empathy, dialog and respect improves the quality of life for all of us. A harmonious environment, free from pressure, conflicts and problems, and for this communication is fundamental. Only in recent years we have started to discuss issues of harassment and racism. I think we're working towards having this working environment with significant changes. This new reality brought about by the new technologies has demanded a lot of us, and in order to continue providing justice, we still need to have a good working environment, which is made up of people and their diversity and it requires a good interpersonal relationship," she said.
"We must look with respect, empathy and consideration at those around us. Harassment and discrimination are behaviors that cause deep emotional distress, not just for individuals, but for the entire organizational environment. We know that dealing with harassment and discrimination is a challenge. The Judiciary must be a reference on this issue, and be a reference in achieving justice in its entirety," said President Etelvina.
Guided by Resolution 351/2020 of the National Council of Justice (CNJ), the aim of the Week is to prevent and mitigate the damage caused by harassment within the Judiciary, practiced by any means, regardless of the relationship. The president of the Commission for Preventing and Confronting Moral and Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in the 2nd Level (Cassedio2), Justice Angela Issa Haonat, recalled that at this time all courts across the country are debating ways to prevent and confront discrimination and harassment.
"The issue is of the utmost importance and we are all learning. Discrimination cannot be trivialized, that's why we're here. We can't stop thinking about it. What unites us is sensitivity, courage and attitudes that strengthen the fight against harassment. We need to speak, listen, act and transform. We need to reflect and question our actions, especially our working relationships. Disagree without arguing, promote non-violent communication. Improve reporting channels. May we have a prosperous week in the fight against all types of discrimination," she said.
The Week continues on Tuesday (May 7th), from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., with the Panel 1: Harassment and discrimination in the workplace: Impacts on the mental health of the victim and the challenges for leadership. Click here and check out the complete programming.
Mimimi is the pain of others
After the official opening, the participants were treated to a round table discussion entitled on "The issue of gender with a racial slant", with Judge Renata do Nascimento e Silva and Journalist Maju Cotrim, mediated by Judge Flávia Afini Bovo, President of the Commission for Preventing and Combating Moral and Sexual Harassment and Discrimination in the 1st Degree (Cassedio1), and coordinated by Leila Jardim, an employee of the Social and Environmental Management and Social Responsibility Coordination Office (Cogersa).
"Racism is about all of us. It's not a black thing. Racism is a social issue. It's for you to discuss at home with your child, it's for you to discuss at school, it's for you to discuss at work. Because even if it's not a black family, your child may have a black classmate and they will have to know how to deal with this difference. Talk about it, it's a social cause," said Maju Cotrim.
In such a racist society, it's not enough not to be racist, we all have to be anti-racist - Journalist Maju Cotrim.
During the discussion, the journalist also presented the denial of her identity in childhood, such as straightening her hair, cases of racism she had experienced and the process of strengthening her self-esteem.
Judge Renata do Nascimento e Silva said that she saw herself in the speech of the journalist, on the issue of straightening her hair, because she had Xuxa as an idol as a child and wanted her hair to be straight like hers, and she saw in the face of her mother the expression that this would not be possible, even though she did the opposite and tried for perfect straight hair. "This and so many other stories, as well as my ability to act as a magistrate," she said.
"Mimimi is the pain of others. The pain of others, because your pain is not delegitimized. Your pain has to be respected. What's behind this line: 'You're being a mimimi, stop being so fresh, black people are fashionable! We need to reflect on these issues. It's important that we don't disqualify the pain of others. That's why events like these are so important, why we need to be here, to talk about this. What's more, there is a need for institutions to represent the ethnic-racial diversity of their people," said the magistrate.
Presentation of the Commissions
During the event, the members of the two Commissions for Preventing and Combating Harassment and Discrimination, both 1st and 2nd degree, were presented. A list of the members of these commissions can be found at these links. The actions carried out to date by the commissions were also presented by Maria Clara Rezende, an intern from the People Management Department.
Reporting channels
With a view to combat the practice of any abuse against civil servers, magistrates and collaborators of any kind, the President of the TJTO, Justice Etelvina Maria Sampaio Felipe, also stressed the importance of not being silent and of reporting it.
"It's essential to guarantee reporting mechanisms. We have several channels for this, including the Chief of Justice Office, the General Internal Affairs Department and the PAHS. Let everyone be an active agent in this practice of prevention, in order to create a culture of respect. Our aim is to root out abusive behavior. And let the Week be an opportunity to reinforce the value of the human being," said President Etelvina.
Recently created, the Program of Protection, Humanized Reception and Solidarity for Women of the Judiciary of the State of Tocantins (PAHS) is an initiative that aims to prevent and combat domestic and family violence against magistrates and civil servers of the Judiciary of the State of Tocantins. Established by the Resolution 18 of July 20th, 2023, the program establishes fundamental policies, guidelines and actions to ensure safety and adequate support for these women.
The reporting channels are: Cassedio 1, Cassedio 2, the General Internal Affairs of Justice (CGJUS), the People Management Board (Digep), the Permanent Accessibility and Inclusion Commission (CPAI), the Intelligence and Security Center of the TJTO (NIS) and Health Space (Center).
Service Channels
Ouvidoria da Mulher
63 3218-4412
0800.6444.334
www.tjto.jus.br/ouvidoria
Cevid
63 3901-9628
63 99298-1370
