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Patrícia Lima
18 years old
Peer Educator, Grupo Curumim
Brazil

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A high school graduate, Patricia has been a member of the feminist organization Grupo Curumim Gestação e Parto since she was 14. Within the organization, she is the Project Coordinator for the program Cunhatã-Grupo Curumim and for the Youth Center of the Cunhatã Program. She is an activist in the feminist and teenager movements. Patricia represents Curumim in the Council of the Teenager Movement of Brazil (Conselho Gestor do Movimento de Adolescentes do Brasil - MAB).

Patricia has participated in events including the Festival of Youth (Festival da Juventude - Recife - 2006), Forum of Human Rights of Recife (Fórum de Direitos Humanos do Recife - 2006), National Meetings of Teenagers promoted by MAB (Encontros Nacionais de Adolescentes), Theater Course with the Grupo Loucas de Pedra Lilás (2005 - 2007), Social Forums (global, national, and regional), and the State Conference of Health (Pernambuco, 2007), among others.

IWHC: What are some of biggest problems facing women and young people in Brazil today?

Patrícia Lima: In my neighborhood in Recife, Ipotinga, the biggest problem is access to emergency contraception, or the “morning after” pill. Teenagers like us have to go to our local health clinic with our mothers. We don’t have access to contraceptives in general, and there aren’t doctors for teenagers. There is no support or space at school to discuss polemic issues such as sexuality, sexual and reproductive rights, emergency contraception, and STDs/AIDS prevention among other issues. The school’s director belongs to the evangelical church and this creates a barrier among the students who are trying to create such a space for discussions.  There are some teachers who are interested in helping students to prevent unwanted pregnancies, and the only space we have conquered so far is during break times when we gather in a circle to discuss some of the issues affecting young people—affecting us. It is great to see the diversity of opinions!


IWHC: Why is the work of Curumim, and of IWHC, so important?

PL: IWHC’s support to Curumim really makes a difference. IWHC is supporting us, the teenagers and young people that are part of Cunhatã, Curumim’s youth program, and Parteiras, Curumim’s program for traditional birth attendants. Then we, in turn, can pass on all we’ve learned at Curumim. I take the lessons with me to school, give workshops, and act as a reference point. Most of my fellow students don’t express their opinions or ask questions. Since I have been empowered through Curumim, I’ve become someone who can go anywhere and express my opinion, and feel empowered to really speak up.


IWHC: Why is it important for you to work at Curumim?

PL: My work at Curumim has helped my life in general. Curumim is wonderful for giving the opportunity to teenagers to spend time here learning. I also receive a stipend from them now, which helps a lot. I’m not independent yet, because I’m only 17 years old, but I can go home and say, “Look, mom, I have some money to help you out this month.”

If all teenagers had such an opportunity, more could be involved in youth activism. A lot of young people hear from their father or mother: “You don’t do anything. You might be part of a ‘movement’ but you are not making any money.” Because I receive the fellowship from Curumim and can help out at home, my mom and dad can’t say that. It’s a small thing organizations can do that makes a big difference.


IWHC: How will you realize the principles of sexual and reproductive health and rights in your own future?

PL: I think I will bring up my children in a much fairer way. I’ll treat my boys and girls the same, and won’t tell them that boys can do everything and girls nothing. I want to live those principles in all parts of my life, including professionally. In the future, I intend to become a nurse so that I can help other people and teach what I’ve learned with all my heart and with gratitude. I will work toward a world that’s fairer, with equal rights for men and women.


IWHC: What the world would look like if your dreams come true and you succeed at all those things?

PL: My dream world would be to have social equality and respect for diversity. There would be education and access to information for all, which unfortunately we don’t have now. We can achieve an ideal world if everyone is well informed about sexually transmitted diseases, AIDS, about their sexual and reproductive rights. Everyone has the right to know these things.

Interview Posted 2/28/08.