Research instruments for accessing women’s archives

Abstract:

The institutionalization and consequently the preservation of women’s personal archives is quantitatively lower when compared to men’s personal archives in archival institutions. In this way, this article aims to reflect on the ways in which the personal files of institutionalized women are made available. To this end, we will discuss the development of research instruments as a way of expanding access to these archives. The methodology was carried out through a literature review of a descriptive nature, examining articles and books published with relevance to the themes of personal files, women’s personal files and research on institutional research instruments to compare the number of files considering the gender perspective. Although fewer in number, the accessibility of these archives enhances research on women, countering their historically permeated historical invisibility. This accessibility can be increased through the development of research instruments, but this must be linked to the uses of technology with the aim of greater dissemination.

Keywords:
personal archives; women’s files; research instruments