Diplomat Márcia Loureiro from the Consulate General of Brazil spoke to BYU students at a Women’s Studies colloquium, discussing women’s rights in Brazil.
PROVO, Utah (September 14, 2018)—At the Sept. 14 Global Women’s Studies’ colloquium, Her Excellency Márcia Loureiro, Deputy Consul General at Consulate General of Brazil, spoke on women’s rights in Brazil. A diplomat based in Los Angeles, Loureiro’s passionate about the issues concerning women’s rights not only within her own country, but globally as well. Though focused on Brazil, Loureiro expressed that the struggle for equality remains an international effort, and issues in Brazil and in the United States relate more closely than one might think.
Loureiro began by outlining a history of the progression of women’s rights in Brazil. She highlighted some of the major strides that have been made, such as gaining women’s suffrage in 1932, the creation of the National Council of Women’s Rights in 1985, and the new constitution in 1988 that “ensured gender equity and the protection of women’s rights for the first time.” Brazil has seen an increase in women’s rights through taking part in and even hosting one of several major international conferences on gender equality. There has also been an increase in legislation protecting women’s rights. However, Loureiro reminded the audience that these issues have not been completely resolved and that the fight for equality continues today. Women comprise 51.5 percent of Brazil’s population. Loureiro related that “despite being the majority and having more years of schooling, women still struggle in areas such as the labor market and political life.” Loureiro went on to list five priorities for women’s rights in Brazil: economic autonomy, health, education, the fight against violence, and power and decision making.
Delving into the issue of economic autonomy, Loureiro shared some statistics. Though women make up 42.8 percent of Brazil’s labor force, work an average of three hours more than men per week, and have a higher average level of education, they earn an average of 76.5 percent of men’s earnings. Women also occupy fewer management positions and face “invisible barriers” that prevent their progression in the workplace.
Loureiro addressed health as a second topic of discussion. Brazil has one of the largest public healthcare systems in the world. However, Brazilian women still face major health issues. Brazil prioritizes the reduction of maternal deaths, while also focusing on a reduction in unwanted and teenage pregnancies. Currently 17 percent of births in Brazil result from teen pregnancies. Loureiro addressed the sad reality that “a number of such pregnancies resulted from sexual violence against minors.” Loureiro also advocated for the “elimination of prejudice against vulnerable groups such as women of African or indigenous descent, transgender, sex workers, and the incarcerated” that may affect the quality of healthcare these groups receive.
In discussing education, Loureiro claimed that despite the fact that women in Brazil have a higher average level of education than men and make up 57 percent of the students at universities, women of minority regional and ethnic backgrounds still face greater barriers. She noted one recent positive educational initiative Brazil has undertaken called the Women in Science program, which “encourage[s] academic research” and “promote[s] the presence of women in scientific careers.”
Loureiro noted how the fourth issue, “physical, sexual, psychological, and moral” violence, has begun to be addressed through legal weapons, such as Brazil’s 2016 law against human trafficking.
Loureiro went on to talk about how women remain underrepresented in positions of power and in environments where important decisions are being made. Loureiro stated that “increasing the participation of women and other underrepresented groups is a chance to broaden the political debate on so many issues that are not being adequately discussed today.” As Brazil continuously strives to increase its female representation in its congress and diplomatic affairs, this goal will be better accomplished.
Though this colloquium zeroed in on women’s issues in Brazil, resolving these issues does not solely benefit Brazilian women. Loureiro declared that “women are not only fighting for themselves… they’re fighting for something that benefits themselves, their families and society as a whole.” Loureiro’s message of the communal and global nature of feminism was one that many attending students loved. Carolina Costa, a pre-public relations major, said, “It’s essential for us to look to the examples of other countries in their efforts for social equality; it allows us to have a more global perspective so we can invest our time and resources in bettering the world as a whole.”
A Global Women’s Studies minor, Serena Madsen, added that “the struggles that [the women in Brazil] are facing are surprisingly similar to the struggles that we’re facing in America.” She goes on to say that “we as women need to let our voices be heard… it’s really important to speak up and speak out and make your opinions known and heard.”
Loureiro added to this sentiment in one of her closing remarks during the question and answer session following her lecture. When asked about how to help others understand the goals and benefits of women’s rights, Loureiro responded, “Talk and talk and talk. Make it known as much as you can. Engage men in our struggles. Engage fathers and sons and professors to make it seen that it is a struggle.” The problems surrounding gender equality are not only seen and felt by women. They are not limited to Brazil or America. Only by recognizing the struggles others are going through and by supporting and helping people with those challenges can progress be made.
Emma Ebert (Editing & Publishing ’21)