5 Positive Effects of Brazil's Bolsa Família Poverty Relief Program
Since 2003, the Bolsa Familia program has been working on poverty alleviation for Brazil. The program has helped 46 million Brazilian families (50 million people) through partnering with the World Bank and has contributed to the lowest poverty rate down to 59 million. President Lula has supported the program by increasing wages to improve the lives of 44 million Brazilians.
How Did They Break the Cycle?
1 | Hunger Reduction
With provided cash offerings, the amount of families who had previously suffered from hunger have food security. Last year, the Brazilian Ministry of Social Development and Fight Against Hunger (MDS) brought in nearly $200B to families in need through the Bolsa Família. The strength and teamwork of multiple Brazilian hunger prevention organizations are credited towards the recent Brazil Without Hunger Protocol, providing immediate attention to those inside the Hunger Map.
2 | Improved Health
For a long time, the youth mortality rate was high due to lack of checkups and vaccines. The initiative requests conditional income transfers such as taking children for regular medical care in exchange for allowances which 8 million people have taken advantage of. The focus of Brazil’s Bolsa Família Poverty Relief Program has surrounded improving family healthcare.
3 | Better Education
Bolsa Família Poverty Relief Program has increased educational development with evidence of higher enrollment and academic successes from disadvantaged citizens. A prominent aim of Bolsa Família is to stop children from inheriting the poverty their parents endured by focusing funds towards the advancement of schooling. As a result, there has been a higher attendance rate.
4 | Female Empowerment
Career training and the accessibility of other social assistance programs have given new job opportunities for women along with affordable childcare services. 54% of beneficiaries of the conditional cash transfers are women, the best investment in the women of Brazil having the power to make decisions about birth control having a rippled impact on the rest of their lives.
5 | Eliminating Child Labor
Since joining forces, these four programs - Bolsa Escola, Bolsa Alimentação, Cartão Alimentação, Auxílio-Gás, and the Child Labour Eradication Programme have actively deducted the use of child labor.
A couple years back, the National Committee to Combat Trafficking in Persons returned the Bolsa Família cash program which in turn rocketed the cash contributions to families in need, receiving $10 to $30 per child.
What’s Next?
Bolsa Família Poverty Relief Program has made a global impact by setting a great example for other countries to follow suit on how to not only mend the issues that come with poverty, but to prevent it from enduring further.
By 2030, they hope to take Brazil off the Hunger Map hand in hand with significantly decreasing nutritional insecurities. The goal is to increase disposable income to result in more grocery shopping, recognizing those who need protection and engaging the government to collaborate in eradicating hunger. The program’s lifespan has made a world of a difference for the lives of Brazilians for nearly 23 years and is still going strong.
