General

Brazilian health system to promote gender and race equity

The program seeks to modify "macho and racist structures"

Paula Laboissière – Repórter da Agência Brasil

Published on 08/03/2023 - 13:05

Brasília

As enfermeiras ouvem orientações para participar da vacinação contra a gripe, conforme recomendado pelas autoridades de saúde para facilitar o diagnóstico de coronavírus, em meio ao surto de doença por coronavírus (COVID-19), — © REUTERS / Sergio Moraes

The Brazilian Ministry of Health published Wednesday (Mar. 8) an official document establishing the National Program of Gender and Race Equity and Valorization of Female Workers in Brazil's national public health care system SUS.

The program seeks to modify "macho and racist structures that operate in the division of labor" and fight various forms of violence related to work within the Brazilian health system.

The document also points out the relevance of female health workers in the maternity process (daily care of children under their responsibility) and the promotion of women considering their life cycle in the scope of work in the country's health system.

The program also offers supporting actions to promote and rehabilitate mental health, considering gender and race specificities, and measures to promote training and continuing education in health, considering the intersectionalities in the sector.