18/05/2023
The signing aims to strengthen the engagement of companies in adopting effective measures to promote the rights of children and adolescents in all their activities
Companies are also responsible for guaranteeing the rights of children and adolescents. The Federal Constitution (CF) of 1988 defines that children and adolescents are an absolute priority for our country and protecting children is a responsibility shared by all of us, families, the State, society, including companies that play an important role in this defense.
In a historic initiative, Alana, the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship (MDHC), the United Nations (UN) Global Pact and the Brazilian Coalition to End of Violence Against Children and Adolescents signed a Protocol of Intent to strengthen the private sector’s commitment to promote these groups rights, as established in article 227 of the CF.
This signing represents an important milestone in the defense of the rights of children and adolescents in Brazil.
The Protocol was signed on May 18, as one of the 18 measures announced at a ceremony at Planalto Palace conducted by the Republic’s Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, and by the Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Silvio Almeida, which marked the National Day to Combat Abuse and Sexual Exploitation against Children and Adolescents.
“The private sector has been expanding its activities in the socio-environmental field, and this view has evolved along with the ESG agenda. However, understanding the need to prioritize strategies and actions that directly affect babies, children and adolescents is still practically non-existent. And this is an urgent call. We are not talking about the future, but the present and the root of all problems and all possible solutions”, says Mariana Mecchi, Director of Expansion at Alana.
To support companies, the Protocol includes actions such as the creation of a manual to prevent and combat abuse and sexual exploitation of children and adolescents in companies and mapping harmful conducts and good practices in companies performances in Brazil, in matters such as protection of children and adolescents in the digital environment; family policies in the workplace that support professionals in their roles as mothers, fathers and caregivers; and the elimination of child labor in all value chains of companies.
Check out the ceremony (in Portuguese):
