Intersectorality and Gender Mainstreaming: An Analysis of Brasil Carinhoso (2012-2015)

Abstract

Our purpose in this article is to analyze Brasil Carinhoso from 2012 to 2015 through the theoretical lenses of mainstreaming and intersectorality, and highlight those dimensions of care it covers. Brasil Carinhoso was a federal child development initiative, which linked aspects of children’s education, health, social assistance and nutrition. Based on a qualitative analysis of official documents and interviews, we provide evidence of an intersectoral concept of the program, which included innovations in funding and management, even though its implementation was largely sectoral. We were unable to identify evidence of gender mainstreaming, not even in the conception of the initiative we analyzed, especially because the approaches to care adopted in Brasil Carinhoso fail to take into consideration those who provide the care, and focus only on those who are cared for.