Brazil Social Issues

Women’s Issues:
Women’s rights in Brazil, although better than in many other countries in the world are not quite as advanced as those of American women. Although, women in Brazil have access to the same kind of education and same rights of the men in their society, women are still relatively unable to hold upper level positions in the business world. This is not necessarily because of any formal policy but more because women often hit a so called “glass ceiling.” The Methodist Church in Brazil is making its best efforts to correct this practice within its structure though. In fact, their first female Methodist Bishop was recently appointed.  

Women’s Issues

• Women have equal access to education, but still are shut out from most upper management positions.
• The Methodist Church is doing a lot to correct this; the first female Methodist bishop was recently appointed (Bishop Joao Alves de Oliveira Filho).  

Colleges and Education

• 893 Universities
• 1.5 million students
• Many private and federal schools
• Methodist University of Sao Paulo- has a seminary  

Health

• A major health crisis in Brazil is AIDS, which has taken the greatest toll on the lower class.
• The middle and upper classes of Brazil have access to health care and hospitals very similar in quality to that of the United States. 
• Clinics, dental care programs, and classes to teach natural medicine have been established by the Brazilian Methodist Church to aid those without the income to receive proper medical attention. 
• The church has started the Semeador Project for the Disabled to help handicapped citizens.      

The Methodist Church in Brazil has stated that the greatest social problem of the nation is the suffering of the homeless children.  To get by on the streets, the children perform tasks such as shoe shining, selling candy, washing windshields, and selling newspapers, and stealing.  Many of these children are even driven to prostitution and drug dealing.  Many social problems, including drug use, prostitution, and the AIDS epidemic, could be helped if a solution is found to the problem.   

These children face many hardships; among them are    starvation, crime, and the “death squads” hired to put a  quick end to the problem.  The death squads are often hired by shop keepers to keep them from stealing.  One street child, Ricardo, stated, “When we can, we sleep during the day. It’s just too risky at night.”

The problem has attracted attention from the Methodist church in America.  Many ministries exist for the street children in urban areas across the country. (To find opportunities for mission and giving in Brazil, visit  http://gbgm-umc.org/advproj/)  Among the most powerful programs in Brazil is the Shade and Fresh Water Project, which is showing God’s power in the children’s lives.  In Brazil, the phrase “shade and fresh water” can be translated as finding a place of safety.  Truly, a place of safety is precisely what the children on the street need.  The program gives the children a place to go for children while the schools are not open, but more than simply giving the children food and shelter, it gives them hope.  The program is a real example of God’s love working through the Methodist church.  The problems facing Brazil’s children are great, but when we connect with the Brazilian church and work as one in Christ, we can make a difference through our Lord.      

Send your questions and comments to: wcarter@gbgm-umc.org