Download Racial and Gender Inequalities in Children, Adolescents

UNICEF BRAZIL EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
Racial and Gender Inequalities in Children, Adolescents & Women in Brazil in the Context of the MDGs
In 2000, 191 member states of the United Nations, including Brazil, pledged their commitment to achieve the eight
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), by the end of 2015.
The MDGs will only truly be achieved, however, if every citizen, whatever his or her race, ethnic background, gender or
age, is guaranteed the same opportunities. The analyses presented in this report show that, in Brazil, children,
adolescents and women, especially those who are black or indigenous, are the most vulnerable to social exclusion and to
violations of their rights to a decent wage, education, health, and reasonable living conditions.
The aim of the report is to illustrate, in a reader-friendly way, how race, ethnic background and gender inequality
excessively affect women, children and adolescents, and how it is important to consider these aspects not only in MDG
monitoring and analysis, but also in the process of developing and implementing effective public policies in Brazil.
The report focuses on eight official Brazilian indicators to understand Brazil’s performance thus far to reaching the eight
MDGs, and highlights what is required for Brazil to achieve all eight by 2015. The report uses clearly understandable
table and chart analyses throughout; the following example highlights MDG 5 – Improve maternal health.
Percentage of women receiving no prenatal care, Brazil, 2003
Brancas = white
Negras = afro-descendants
Worst
Best
Source: MS/SINASC Microdata. Prepared by: UNICEF
In relation to MDG 5, the report states that approximately 100,000 pregnant women did not undergo prenatal check-ups
in Brazil, a procedure which is essential for guaranteeing the health of both mother and baby. Furthermore, for afrodescendant women, the lack of access to prenatal care is three times greater than for white women.
More than 1.7 million pregnant women did not undergo seven prenatal check-ups, which represents the minimum
recommended number of prenatal check-ups for guaranteeing the health of the mother and child. Afro-descendant
women represent 64% of this group, a percentage that drops to 38.4% for white women.
The racial inequality in this indicator reflects not only the difficulty in getting access to prenatal care services, but also its
quality. Afro-descendant and indigenous women are very often the victims of racism at health-care units themselves. The
report shows how guaranteeing the access of afro-descendant and indigenous women to prenatal care, whilst respecting
cultural diversity, identity and culture, is one of the challenges to be faced during the development of appropriate public
policies for improving maternal health in Brazil.
For more information on UNICEF’s activities in Brazil, please visit our website at: www.unicef.org.br
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