SEATTLE — The country of Brazil has seen an increase in income in recent years by rising to fame with its Brazilian soap operas and talented soccer athletes. Besides all of the talent that resides in Brazil, it is actively seeking ways to reduce its poverty rates by implementing different programs and resources. Poverty reduction in Brazil is an important method of improving the country. These are five ways Brazil is fighting to reduce its poverty rates.[hr_invisible]

Mundo Sem Pobreza (World Without Poverty)

World Without Poverty is a partnership that was founded in 2013 by the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth, the Institute for Applied Economic Research and Brazil’s Ministry of Social Development. The World Without Poverty organization has gone on to create many other social programs to help pursue poverty reduction in Brazil.

From World Without Poverty has come Bolsa Familia, a cash transfer program where parents collect a monthly allowance in exchange for sending their children to school and making sure they get regular wellness checkups. The program works in three volumes: promoting immediate poverty relief, strengthening the exercise of basic social rights and promoting opportunities for the development of families.

Bolsa Familia has helped reduce the poverty rate from 9.7 percent to 4.3 percent in just 10 years. Besides Bolsa Familia, the World Without Poverty campaign has also brought food security through food purchase programs, social assistance and unified registry, which allows the government to identify low-income families in need.[hr_invisible]

Brasil Sem Miseria (Brazil Without Misery)

The Brazil Without Misery Plan began in 2011, which was designed to aid families with a monthly income of less than $70 per person. Within four years, the program saw success by helping about 22 million Brazilian citizens out of extreme poverty. Like Bolsa Familia, Brazil Without Misery works in three stages: access to public assistance, improving education and health and productive inclusion, which focuses on increasing opportunities for work and generating income. Brazil Without Misery not only focuses on poverty reduction in Brazil, but also ensuring the rights of Brazilian citizens.[hr_invisible]

National Program for Access to Technical Education and Employment

President Dilma Rousseff authorized Law No. 12.513 in 2011, which generated a nationwide plan to secure technical educational opportunities for the people of Brazil. The plan permits young adults to obtain eligibility qualifications to gain access to better employment opportunities. In accordance with this, President Rousseff also implemented the Network e-tech Brazil under the Ministry of Education to provide free public education under democratic law. This will broaden Brazilian children’s access to education, bringing them a new way of life and learning.[hr_invisible]

Programa de Combate a Pobreza Rural (Rural Poverty Reduction Program)

Many of Brazil’s poverty reduction programs focus on the national level, but the Rural Poverty Reduction Program focuses on reducing poverty at the communal level. According to the World Bank, the method strengthens and empowers the poor while developing social capital. The program focuses on the poor citizens in northeast Brazil while boosting their social status in areas where they used to feel ignored.

The Rural Poverty Reduction Program allows the poor to become involved in areas such as local governments, stakeholder participation, technical assistance and transparency of funding processes. Giving those in vulnerable situations a voice and allowing them to participate in government and state-funded programs will help inspire and embolden those who have lost hope. Through the Rural Poverty Reduction Program, the poor will find that they have a voice and can help make a difference.[hr_invisible]

Fome Zero Programme (Zero Hunger Program)

Brazil’s Zero Hunger Program was started to give financial support to farmers while also feeding school children. The program reduced malnutrition in children from 12.7 percent to 3.5 percent while also reducing the infant mortality rate. A branch of the Zero Hunger Program, the Federal Food Acquisition Programme, buys food from small and family-owned farms and facilities. The plan helps small farms to build stock while promoting healthy eating.

By buying food from small businesses, Brazil has found a way to boost its economy while feeding a majority of the population. At least 30 percent of the food in schools must come from the PAA Program (Federal Food Acquisition Programme), ensuring that children are receiving nutritionally healthy meals while at school, while providing small business owners and farmers a chance for their business and stocks to flourish.

Although poverty reduction in Brazil is not at 100 percent just yet, the president and government of Brazil are actively working to reduce poverty rates and taking into consideration the needs of their citizens. Poverty in Brazil has decreased significantly in the past 20 years and will continue to decline as long as the Brazilian government keeps providing hope for those less fortunate.

– Rebecca Lee

Photo: Flickr