Alagoas seafood and fishermen who had their lives impacted by the environmental crime of mining company Braskem called for support on Thursday (20) to the Minister of Women, Cida Gonçalves, to face damage that were caused by the exploitation of salt. Seven years ago, there was sinking of entire neighborhoods of Maceió, impacting about 60,000 people, including those who work with seafood fishing.
The president of the federation of fishermen and aquaculture of Alagoas (FEPEAL), Maria Silva Santos, 41, said in an interview with Brazil agencythat the meeting with the minister was very important to bring the claims of public policies of all directly affected workers. “The environmental impact for seafood women caused, for example, the obligation to need to work in place for more than two hours of the one in which they were suspended,” he said.
The minister heard that women lost, in addition to housing, the authorization to work in their territories, suffered the effects of water contamination and there was also loss of income for families.
“We have suffered various types of violence and it is not only the type of ‘normal violence’, it is also environmental racism, the pollution of our rivers and seas,” said fish Ana Paula Santos, a network of women fishermen from Coral Costa.
Tradition
Minister Cida Gonçalves has ensured that the government will do whatever it takes, including integrating other ministers to accelerate solutions. Maria Silva Santos, who participated in the meeting, said that many of these workers are mothers and responsible for taking care of their children and the livelihood of the family. “Many chose this profession because they like it, respect the tradition of parents and grandparents and were created in these territories”
In Alagoas, there are 20,643 artisanal fishermen, 58% women, according to data from the general registration system of fishing activity (2023). It is estimated that there are 12,000 women in fishing, including informal activity, with an average income less than one minimum wage. Maria Santos, from FEPEAL, states that a new survey of the reality of the category in the state is in process.
Climate change
In addition to the difficulty of having to move away from the previous workplace, in view of the contamination of the lagoon, the representative of the category states that climate change also impact the daily life of fishing. “We have a decrease in fish within the region.” She cites, for example, the decrease in sururu. “Because of the alteration of the rainfall regime, water is more brackish and sururu cannot reproduce. There are several factors regarding this reduction.
State Secretary of Women and Human Rights, Maria Silva, said that in meeting the demands of these women are observed by the public power, factors such as dignity, respect, safety, education and health to work and raise children.
Women’s House
In addition to the meeting with the seafood workers, Minister Cida Gonçalves signed, with the governor of Alagoas, Paulo Dantas, the contract of transfer of funds for the construction of the Brazilian Women’s House (CMB) of Maceió, in the amount of R $ 19 million .
According to the Ministry, the appeal will be destined for the construction and equation of the unit, which already has land appointed by the state government. The equipment will feature care and screening services, psychosocial support, police station, court, prosecutor, public defender, promotion of economic autonomy, child care, passage accommodation and transport center.
At the time, the minister stated that the investment will ensure integrated and humanized care for women from Alagoas. The governor signed adhesion to the National Feminicide Prevention Pact (PNPF), launched in 2024.
“We need to unite forces to promote cultural changes, strengthen public policies and hold those who insist on perpetuating violence,” said the minister about adherence to the pact. Secretary Maria Silva said the house is a “true refuge” so that women can rebuild their lives.
