Sexual and reproductive rights under attack: the advance of political and moral conservatism in Brazil

Abstract

This article discusses political setbacks related to sexual and reproductive health and rights that have occurred in Brazil in the last 5 years (2014–2018) resulting from the significant role played by Christian (Evangelical and Catholic) parliamentarians in the legislative branch. Political initiatives aimed at prohibiting the affirmation of sexual and reproductive rights, while also curtailing debate about sexuality and gender in schools and universities, have raised “moral panic” within some elements of Brazilian society. The discursive strategies used around so-called “gender ideology” stimulated the formation of civil organisations which promote morality based on right-wing political positions. For this study, we looked at official documents and bibliographic material to examine how issues related to abortion rights, health care in cases of sexual violence, the prevention of sexually transmitted infections and homosexual citizenship are currently being suppressed, compromising the defence and advancement of the sexual and reproductive rights of women and the LGBTI+ population. The results point to the steady weakening of public policies that had become law in the 1980s, a time of Brazilian re-democratisation after two decades of military dictatorship. A wide range of civil, political and social rights, which saw significant growth and consolidation over the last 20 years, were rolled back after the resurgence of the extreme right wing in the federal legislature, culminating in the election of the current president in October 2018. However, social movements have increased in strength in the last few decades, especially the black feminist and LGBTI+ rights movements. These movements continue to provide political resistance, striving to affirm and protect all sexual and reproductive rights achieved to date.

Discrimination Due to Sexual Orientation and Associated Factors Among Men Who have Sex with Men in 12 Brazilian Cities: A Respondent-Driven Sampling Survey

“…For example, the Committee for LGBT Health at the Ministry of Health, the reassertion of LGBT Rights on to health care at services of the Brazilian National Health System, and the National Policy for LGBT Health [51,52] were developed. However, the country has experienced setbacks in LGBT health policies over the last ve years, given the advance of religious groups and conservative social movements in Brazilian society, in Congress, and at the Presidency [53,54]. More recently, the current national government, as of 2019, has further exacerbated this situation [54].…”

“…The new president and his party -who elected the largest number of members in Congress -were voted on a platform containing explicit rejection of LGBT individuals and identities, publishing a program vowing to exclude LGBT communities from human rights protections and social policies[53]. The Secretary of Continuing Education, Literacy, Diversity and Inclusion, who was responsible for promoting policy to secure sexual, gender, and ethnic diversity in Brazilian public schools, was extinguished.…”

“…The Secretary of Continuing Education, Literacy, Diversity and Inclusion, who was responsible for promoting policy to secure sexual, gender, and ethnic diversity in Brazilian public schools, was extinguished. HIV prevention guidelines for transgender population were also removed, arguing that this document contained "content that was offensive to the family"[53].The current political context in Brazil is one of increased stigma directed towards LGBT communities that most likely will increase DDSO. Between 2009 and 2016, the persistence and increase in DDSO may constitute a signi cant barrier of access to health services, as well as universal access to antiretroviral therapies to treat and prevent HIV (such as the Pre-and Post-exposure prophylaxis)[55][56][57].…”

O direito à prevenção da Aids: nas escolas, nos serviços de saúde e alhures

“…O pano de fundo é o da onda conservadora que ameaça, dentre outras questões, as ações de educação sexual nas escolas 3,4 . Uma discussão que tem como principais cenários os poderes executivo e legislativo, mas com rebatimento na ponta, no cotidiano das escolas e, muito acaloradamente, nas redes sociais da internet.…”

“…Igualmente, é importante destacar o fato de que décadas de trabalho preventivo nas escolas geraram uma demanda nos alunos por educação sexual, independentemente de pertencimentos religiosos 7 -apesar das dificuldades para a implementação dessas ações, especialmente dos ataques contra a introdução de discussões de gênero e sexualidade nesse contexto 3,4 .…”