A Technical Cooperation Agreement between the federal government and the National Council of Social Service for Industry (CN-Sesi) expands the offer of care libraries across the country. The initiative, which is part of the National Care Plan, seeks to ensure that family members, especially women, have a safe place to leave their children while they study and gain professional qualifications.
The partnership involves the National Secretariat for Care and Family Policy (SNCF) of the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger (MDS) and its main focus is the implementation of care libraries in educational and qualification spaces of the Industry System.
The head of MDS, Wellington Dias, said that many women do not occupy positions in sectors such as industry because they have nowhere to leave their children. “The partnership will guarantee this condition so that children up to 12 years of age can be well looked after and that the mother is able to study, work and contribute to the development of her family and Brazil”, he said, in a statement released by the ministry.
“Care libraries are spaces that welcome children and have the objective of allowing those responsible for the care of these children, within the family, who are generally women, to qualify, increase their education and work during the period exactly that exceeds the school day”, explained the national secretary of Care and Family Policy at MDS, Laís Abramo.
With the partnership, Sesi will financially support care library projects through public notices. Each initiative can receive up to R$500,000 to purchase equipment, materials and contract services. Sesi’s regional departments will be responsible for executing the projects and operating the spaces. MDS, through SNCF, will provide technical and methodological support, in addition to participating in the training of local teams.
Care libraries
Care libraries are part of the National Care Plan Brazil that Cares. Care libraries are public spaces, free and safe, aimed at welcoming children aged 3 to 12 with and without disabilities, at times that go beyond the school day, such as at night, for example.
The service supports people who are responsible for children and who need to work, study or qualify. The spaces offer recreational activities, reading, games and arts, as well as basic care, such as food, hygiene, changing clothes and rest.
Currently, 12 care libraries are operating in the country, one at the Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF) and 11 at Federal Institutes in Bahia, Maranhão and Sergipe.
