By Erilda Sousa, Researcher at EmpoderaClima.

Ever since current Brazil President Lula took office this January (2023), two women in his administration have become some of the most powerful players in Brazilian politics, leading important agendas on human rights, environment, and climate.

Having women in positions of power makes good economic sense and creates inclusive societies, with Latin America historically having a great rate of female political participation. In Brazil, the law 1.951/2021 ensures a minimum allocation of vacancies for candidates from each gender, thereby promoting enhanced female participation in Brazilian politics.

Sonia Guajajara and Marina Silva, both renowned activists and politicians, are involved in the roles of Minister of Indigenous People and Minister of Environment and Climate Change, respectively. This is a historic moment for Brazil, as it marks the first time that two influential women have been appointed to such high-level positions in the government.

SONIA GUAJAJARA - MINISTER OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BRAZIL

Photo credit: The Washington Post

Sonia Guajajara is a renowned Indigenous leader and activist who has been fighting for the rights of Indigenous people for over two decades. She is the Founder of Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB), an organization that works to protect and promote the rights for the Indigenous people in Brazil. As Minister, she is responsible for ensuring that all citizens are treated equally and fairly under the law. 

Recently, Brazil has had the chance to assess the repercussions of what the preceding government did to Indigenous people. According to the 2021 reports of the Missionary Indigenous Council (Conselho Indigenista Missionário), the  statistical database regarding territory, health, cases of violence by the state and illegal miners is lagging. This situation has caused disarray and further complicated the mission of rectifying humanitarian crises that are occurring in the Yanomami territory, for example. 

So far, the new Minister of Indigenous People is participating actively in the discussions held at the Acampamento Terra Livre (ATL). APIB (Articulation of the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil) endorsed the climate emergency as well as the land demarcation of indigenous people that was stagnant for almost 5 years in the Brazilian territory, more information can be found on the Open Letter from the Acampamento Terra Livre 2023. The event was also marked by the discussion on the new Marco Temporal, on which the Indigenous community is against.

Marina Silva is a former senator and an environmental activist who has been fighting for the protection of the Amazon Forest and the environment for over two decades. An award winner, the Minister received the United Nations Champions of the Earth, the highest award given by the organization. She also received the Goldman Prize, together with Chico Mendes, because of their work to establish a 2 million hectare reservoir managed by a traditional community in the Brazilian Amazon. As Minister of Environment and Climate Change, she is responsible for ensuring that Brazil’s environment is protected and that sustainable development is promoted. 

Silva has also been a strong proponent of renewable energy and has been an outspoken critic of the Brazilian government’s reliance on fossil fuels. 

Recently, Petrobras proposed to explore oil deposits more than 500 kilometers from the outfall of the Amazon River, and the Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA), a governmental agency subordinated to Marina's ministry, rejected the license requested by Petrobras. The company released a statement saying they are going to ask reconsideration from IBAMA.

It is clear from the structure of the Ministry, formerly known as the Ministry of Environment, that climate change was supposed to be a priority theme. Marina Silva promised to focus in her first 100 days as minister in creating a National Climate Security Authority, which would be headed by the President himself, with the involvement of all Ministries. The purpose of this Authority is to support the National Policy on Climate Change and to regulate and monitor the established mitigation objectives. 

Through an event on social media in April, the Minister once again guaranteed the creation of the Council on Climate Change, but without giving any details on deadlines. It was another promise for the first three months that, until now, had not been fulfilled.

Last year, Who needs Climate Justice (Quem precisa de Justiça Climática) was published, a book constructed collectively with powerful voices from leaders and specialists in the climate change discussion. The book's preface was written by Marina Silva, who discussed that in order to find a solution to the issues related to this subject, it is necessary to redirect financial investments in adaptation and mitigation of the environmental impacts, particularly for those who are socially more vulnerable.  

Recently, the Brazilian government announced the return of several significant topics and organizations to the Ministry of the Environment, such as the National Water and Basic Sanitation Agency (ANA) and the Brazilian Forestry Service (SFB). Additionally, the responsibility for collaborative management of fishing resources, promotion of environmental management in rural areas, and the policies to reinforce the role of Indigenous peoples and traditional communities in the administration of their territories have been reinstated to the portfolio. Furthermore, the management of the National Water Resources Policy, and it was inaugurated the Department for the Protection and Defense of Animal Rights. 

THE FUTURE OF BRAZIL

Recently, the two Ministries have undergone attempts to reorganize the composition appropriate to each one. According to the new proposed legislation Medida Provisória 1.154/2023, the National Water Security Policy and the management of water resources, previously assigned to the Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, should be now assigned to the Ministry of Integration and Regional Development. However, the request was rejected by President Lula.

Moreover, the presidential decision maintained the emptying of the Ministry of Indigenous People (MPI) over the recognition and demarcation of indigenous lands. The assignment is with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security, as requested by the centrist part of Congress.

The Rural Environmental Registry (CAR) was transferred from the Ministry of the Environment to the Ministry of Management and Innovation in Public Services, a suggestion of the centrist group that was sanctioned by the president; however, the final word remains with Congress, deputies and senators who need to vote together, thus approving the decision that has the absolute majority of votes.

With these two powerful women at the helm of the government, Brazilians can expect more changes in the coming years. Firstly, the empowerment of The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Resources is already evident, thereby resulting in increased empowerment for other inspection agencies. 

The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change together with the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples are working in synergy to promote environmental protection and guarantee the rights of Indigenous people. A good indicator of that is the return of The Amazon Fund, Fundo Amazônia, which had been suspended for four years, and was reactivated with a total of R$ 3.3 billion. 

The Amazon Fun will prioritize projects to protect Indigenous communities, especially the aforementioned Yanomami territory in Roraima. 

With these two women heading such important projects, Brazilians can expect to see an increase in the number of women in politics. Guajajara and Silva are both powerful female role models, and their appointments to such high-level positions serves as an inspiration to other women who are interested in pursuing a career in politics.

In conclusion, the selection of these two represents a significant milestone in Brazil's history.  EmpoderaClima is filled with optimism and hope as we witness this remarkable progress in the Brazilian government regarding climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. We eagerly anticipate and will closely monitor initiatives and projects pertaining to gender and climate. 

This development is undoubtedly a victory, and we are excited to observe the integration of climate change and human rights in their rightful place within the realm of Brazilian politics. Particularly noteworthy is the fact that the project is being spearheaded by exceptionally resilient and influential women.