Program to promote health and sex education in communities surrounding the Carajás Railway

The implementation of the largest iron ore project in Brazil, the S11D, had among its impacts a large migratory movement that led the population of Canaã dos Carajás to triple in a truly short time. However, along with the opportunities that have arrived, the municipality has witnessed the growth of situations of child and youth violence.

After a thorough diagnosis, Synergia developed the Sexual Education and Health Promotion Project (PESS). Through it, it was possible to outline strategies for orientation, training and development of an elaborate technical social work.

The teaching staff and coordinators of the municipal schools were trained to identify, welcome, refer and monitor cases of sexual abuse and exploitation against children and adolescents.

Supported by workshops, experiences, lectures and campaigns on the subject, the project’s social engagement processes were able to mobilize and train young people, leaders and other local actors to act to reduce the vulnerability of children and adolescents.

In this way, it was possible to strengthen a support and information network, trained to deal with issues related to sexual abuse and exploitation, early pregnancy and contagion by STDs/AIDS. The performance of the company also made it possible to instruct children and young people to pay more attention to related topics.

The Program considered the political, social and economic context of the territory, to address the issue in a targeted and assertive manner, as observed by Marcileia Toledo, Synergia’s project manager. “There was awareness on the topic, which was disseminated in the municipality. We increased the number of complaints and trained coordinators and faculty from the municipal education department, who now have tools to deal with issues related to the reception and referral of students within the theme of violence and sexual abuse against children and adolescents”, says.

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