Municipality of AM honors women with public policies aimed at them

Itamarati (AM) – On International Women’s Day, celebrated on March 8, the city hall of Itamarati (located 983 kilometers from Manaus), in the interior of Amazonas, promoted a festive meeting where actions aimed at women residing in that location were highlighted. One of the projects with the greatest social impact is “Mãe Solo”.

The project was created to assist mothers who are widowed, separated or whose children have not been recognized by their parents. “These women face serious difficulties because they do not have the support of their children’s parents. It is not just a question of division of care tasks but, mainly, of basic care. As they have to take care of their children, these women are unable to work outside the home, seriously compromising their livelihood and that of the rest of the family”, explained the first lady of Itamarati, professor Áurea Marques, one of the biggest supporters of the initiative.

Women enrolled in “Mãe Solo” receive a reinforced food basket containing coffee, rice, sugar, beans, milk, flour, margarine, biscuits and several other items that allow them to prepare hearty and nutritious meals for the family.

Furthermore, the city of Itamarati implemented, in the municipality, the “Vida Melhor Municipal Income Transfer Card”, which also benefits families, especially women as many are breadwinners.

“Technicians from the Social Action Secretariat visit all registered people who declare that they do not have a fixed income. When it is identified that the person is in a situation of social vulnerability, or that they are part of the group of those suffering from food shortages, they are included in the list of those who will receive the card”, explained Áurea Marques.

Those enrolled in “Vida Melhor” receive a card where the city hall deposits R$400 in credit each month to be used in local businesses. The amount contributes to the well-being of users and also boosts the municipality’s economy.

Income

To reduce the unemployment rate, which is even higher among women, the city of Itamarati carries out constant professional training courses in order to generate opportunities in the job market and encourage entrepreneurship among them. In 2022, the city hall promoted a cutting and sewing course. In the end, many students, in addition to their diploma, received a sewing machine from the city hall to start a profitable activity.

“This was the beginning of a larger project. The city of Itamarati intends, in the future, to hire women to make reusable bags that will be distributed, free of charge, to the population. With this, the volume of waste caused by plastic bags will be reduced, protecting the environment and, at the same time, the municipality will be providing income for the residents of Itamarati”, said the first lady.

Care for children and adolescents

Itamarati maintains the Santa Luzia Municipal Creche in operation, which provides early childhood education for around 200 children throughout the morning and afternoon shifts. The space, in addition to providing the basis of knowledge that will assist in social, cognitive and language development, allows parents to carry out their occupations in peace while their children are well looked after.

To contribute to physical development, young people receive Taekwondo classes at the Social Assistance Reference Center (Cras).

“Martial art has contributed to the assimilation of self-defense techniques, which is very important for girls due to the high rate of domestic violence”, said Áurea Marques.

According to data from the Panel of Criminal Indicators of Women Victims of Domestic Violence from the Public Security Secretariat of the State of Amazonas, 22 cases of sexual harassment, obscene acts and rape were registered in Itamarati in 2022. Last year, there was a 45.46% increase in this type of crime. During this period, 32 cases were recorded. Most of the victims were women.

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