Projects in South America

Introduction to the issues

Due to decades of inequity in distribution of land, income and opportunities, political instability, weak governance, internal conflicts and natural disasters, boys and girls in this region remain vulnerable to violence, poverty and lack access to adequate education. According to UNICEF, 60% of the region's children under 12 years old are living in poverty.

Children are forced to migrate to cities, work, beg, steal, and resort to sexual exploitation. Migrant children (especially from the Andes region in Peru) are especially affected by inequalities in living standards and opportunities. The machismo culture and feminisation of poverty marginalises women and girls and deprives them of their rights.

South America is one of the most violent regions in the world, with children and women being the main victims. Children live in fear of violence on the streets, corporal punishment within the family, schools and government institutions, sexual abuse and exploitation, and human trafficking. A worrying social tolerance towards violence against children exists. This results in impunity for the perpetrators, silence about sexual abuse, and a tacit acceptance of children’s suffering. In Brazil security measures adopted by state governments to combat high levels of urban crime have resulted in increasing human rights violations, including unlawful killings by the police.

Civil society within South America is well-established and has achieved a foundation for change. With appropriate support, it has huge potential for enabling government to tackle these problems.

Examples of our work

Brazil: Engaging marginalised youth in collective action to prevent violence in Brazil, more information
Partner organisations: Instituto Promundo
Instituto Papai
Movimento Dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (MST)
Grupo Attitude
Projeto Legal: Protecting the rights of poor and marginalized children and young people and their families in contact/conflict with the law

Peru: Eradicating harmful child labour and improving access to education, more information
Partner organisations: ADEVI and PROCESO SOCIAL
Amhauta: Promoting community participation to prevent and challenge violence against women and children