Authorities, researchers, and institutional representatives met at Fiocruz with the Minister for Women, Márcia Lopes, to discuss strategies for combating violence, strengthening public policies, and promoting gender equality. The event Fiocruz mobilized for zero femicide: for women alive, healthy and respected took place this Monday (March 2).

Upon assuming the Ministry, Minister Márcia Lopes emphasized the reconstruction of public policies and the strengthening of institutions as essential paths to confront the multiple forms of violence affecting women in the country. “We have lived through a period [a few years ago] of destruction of public policies and absolute disrespect for women.” That logic profoundly impacted the lives of women and democracy itself. There are many, many forms of violence that we face, in addition to femicide. "We need to rebuild pacts of respect, peace, and appreciation for diversity," he said.

"We need to relearn how to live together, how to work as a team, and how to respect differences." What we see today, in many places, are attitudes that are inconsistent with the peace and freedoms that we defend. "It is essential to strengthen agreements that value institutions and human dignity," highlighted the minister, who visited Manguinhos Castle after the event.

"As a strategic public institution, Fiocruz must mobilize its scientific capacity and its presence in the territories to confront violence against women," stated the Foundation's president, Mario Moreira. He emphasized that dialogue with communities and the training of socially committed scientists are essential to transforming this agenda into concrete action.  

"We have a respectful approach of listening, learning, and building together with the territories." The fight against violence needs to be part of our discourse and our daily behavior. “It’s a public health problem and therefore a major issue for Fiocruz,” said Mario.

Fiocruz's Vice President of Education, Information and Communication, Marly Marques da Cruz, highlighted the leading role of women and the increased presence of women in leadership positions at the institution. She emphasized that daily mobilization is essential to confront inequalities and strengthen public policies.

"More women involved in these processes make the struggle part of the institutional routine." Fiocruz, as a strategic state institution, needs to incorporate this agenda into all areas of its operations. Gender equity also implies racial equity, given the overlapping vulnerabilities. We need to talk about the numbers, but also detail the violence, which has become increasingly cruel.

Emeritus researcher Nísia Trindade Lima, former Minister of Health and the first woman to preside over Fiocruz, stated that the date goes beyond tributes and demands a collective commitment to equality. “We receive flowers and chocolates, and we like them, nothing against that, but it’s always a day of struggle.” This needs to be a fight for society and for democracy, uniting men and women. None of us go through life without episodes of violence, whether physical or symbolic.

A historical reference in sexual and reproductive health, Maria do Carmo Leal, a researcher at the National School of Public Health (Ensp/Fiocruz) and coordinator of the "Born in Brazil" research project, highlighted the Foundation's role in civic education and in confronting inequalities. "Fiocruz is a women's institution, with women who organize themselves in favor of women," she explained.

"Our postgraduate programs are also schools of citizenship." There is a very strong commitment to gender and racial equity and to combating inequalities. "It is a collective construction, supported by an internal democracy that decides the direction of the institution," Maria emphasized.

Source: Fiocruz News Agency (AFN).