Participatory Communication in Brazil’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Policies: An Intersectional and Decolonial Perspective

Abstract

This dissertation examines the intersection of intersectionality, decolonial interculturality, and participatory communication through digital media and their infl uence on equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives in Brazil. It investigates how the Black women’s movement, feminist, LGBTQ+, Black, Indigenous, and other intersectional agendas have mobilised media – from journals to digital platforms – as tools for participatory communication, fostering debates that build decolonial perspectives and intercultural communication while generating tangible outcomes in public and private EDI initiatives. The objectives are: (1) to analyse the scope, motivations, and interests behind public and private EDI initiatives; (2) to assess how participatory communication has advanced EDI and interculturality; and (3) to explore how intersectional and decolonial frameworks inform the design, communication, and impact of these initiatives. The study is grounded in intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1989, 1991; Collins & Bilge, 2020), decoloniality (Quijano, 2024; Mignolo & Walsh, 2018; Walsh, 2019), and participatory communication (Freire, 2000; Tufte, 2017), which provide lenses to discuss identities, social markers, and diversity. Methodologically, two case studies combine qualitative and quantitative methods. The corpus includes document analysis of policies, campaigns, reports, and academic research; thematic analysis of news, social media posts, blogs, and institutional communications; and indirect observation of digital practices. Case Study 1 examines public-sector educational policies – Law No. 10,639/2003 on Afro-Brazilian History and Culture teaching and the University Quota Law No. 12,711/2012 – dialoguing with the Black Movement and Black Women’s Movement (e.g., Movimento Negro Unifi cado , Geledés , and Coalizão Negra por Direitos ). Case Study 2 explores the private sector, focusing on the representation of minoritised groups in Rede Globo’s telenovelas and interventions by movements like Geledés to challenge hegemonic narratives and advocate for plural portrayals. Results show that participatory communication enables social movements to advance EDI, reshape public debate, and infl uence both policy and media practices in Brazil.