Leaders of movements that defend the rights of homeless people called this Thursday (14), at the G20 Social, for the creation of a new Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) in the agenda of global goals established by the United Nations General Assembly . (UN). Activists understand that the currently existing SDGs do not address the specificities of those who live in situations of extreme social vulnerability.
The proposal occurred during the activity led by the National Street Population Movement (MNPR) in Rio de Janeiro. At the event, a survey was released that indicates the existence of at least 6.8 million homeless people in the countries that make up the G20. The idea was to show the importance of the topic, even among countries in the so-called Global North.
In addition to representatives of social movements, the event was attended by the Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship, Macaé Evaristo, Human Rights assistant at the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Aisha Sayuri, and the municipal secretary of Assistance Social of Rio de Janeiro, Adilson Pires.
“We have discussed internationally that the problems of the homeless population are the result of structural flaws in countries, which reflect social inequalities. How can we ensure that investments reach this population? We need to better address this issue and go beyond shelter issues. It’s something broader. For the UN, homelessness must be a social priority. Until it is a priority, it will not be possible to fully realize human rights in the world”, said Aisha Sayuri.
The Secretary of Social Assistance of Rio de Janeiro highlighted the need to deal with the problems of this group from multiple approaches and different public policies.
“Homelessness is a transversal issue, which needs to be addressed by various public practices. The Social Assistance department cannot solve everything. Here in Rio, we form partnerships with the Health Department, because the homeless population has many difficulties in this regard and needs these services. Housing Secretariat is also essential to overcome this drama. As well as areas related to education”, said Adilson Pires.
The Minister of Human Rights and Citizenship reinforced the need to deepen the federal government’s policies and make the population aware that they have greater scope, with benefits for all workers in the country.
“The national plan for homeless people needs to be expanded. We have had important debates in this sense, listening to the issues that the movements raise. And something I have highlighted is that the policies are aimed at all workers in the country. When we talk about places to drink water, public bathrooms, among other topics, these are things that meet the basic needs of any worker in an urban center. So, the demands that the movement brings are for policies that can benefit millions of workers in addition to homeless people”, said Macaé Evaristo.
The MNPR coordinator in Rio de Janeiro highlighted how the problems of the homeless population must be understood by the group based on its diversity and not as a single, homogeneous block. And it identified women as the most vulnerable on the street.
“We need to take a different look at women who are in this situation. We suffer the greatest rights violations on the streets. We are physically, mentally, morally and institutionally violated. We need housing and income like others, but specific conditions such as services and attention for pregnant partners. They don’t like going to maternity wards, because babies can be taken from them and taken to shelters, and they even lose the right to breastfeed,” said Maralice dos Santos.
