Health means to struggle, affirm affected women

Photo: Mídia Ninja

The daily lives of women affected by dams in Minas Gerais are a routine of struggle. Struggle for the survival of their family, children, parents and partners. Struggle against violations of rights, and against the criminal companies Vale, Samarco, BHPBilliton and Renova Foundation.

During the event “Meeting of the Affected”, hold at the Mariana Arena, they were able to talk about the difficulties and resistance they face in their regions. Stories of contamination, drug and alcohol abuse, suicide, and their access to work were shared during the morning of this Monday the 4th.

According to Letícia Oliveira, from the Movement of People Affected by Dams (Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens – MAB), women are the biggest victims of dam crimes in Brazil and in the world. After asking which women in the audience had already carried buckets of water on their heads to ensure their family care, many of them raised their arms.

Photo: Mídia Ninja

“When companies destroy our rivers and nature, there is a lack of water. Companies say the lack of water is due to lack of rainfall or problems in the region, but for the access of water by rich people is always there. Access to water is just one of many rights denied to women”, she said.

Health problems generated by the mining crimes are among the main problems suffered by affected women. Responsible for taking care of their families, they suffer from difficulties in accessing public policies, which are even worse by the dismantling policies rolled by the current government in Brazil.

“There is no longer the Popular Pharmacy program, Mais Médicos*, programs such as teenage pregnancy contraception and others. There is a dismantling of the National Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde), besides the precariousness of work and the end of retirement pensions, recently approved. All this reflects on the health of the people also affected, because health is much more than access to a doctor, drugs and tests”, reflects José Geraldo Martins.

Maria Lindalva, of Baguari in Governador Valadares, says that the community was not recognized by the Renova Foundation after four years of the crime. “They say we were not affected, but after the dams burst we have a lot of diseases there. They ask us to provide a medical report, but the doctors don’t give us any”.

Photo: Mídia Ninja

The city of Brumadinho now has severe cases of mental illness. Miquéias Ribeiro, a member of the Movement in the region, says that there was an increase in the rate of suicide attempts in schools. “These case rates went up a lot, and cases of depression also increased. They are seeking treatment in pills, all the time people are going to the health unit, and the city even had to hire more doctors and psychologists”, he worries.

But there is hope, and researcher Dulce Maria knows where it is. “We need to be very strong. And if there is anyone in the country who knows how to build hope, it is women, the women of MAB”, she says, excitedly. The Professor, from the Federal University of Ouro Preto (UFOP), conducted a research in the regions hit by the Fundão Dam, and says that contamination by heavy metals is a risk to the health of the entire population.

She confides that she sees in the movement’s struggle an important contribution to Brazil. “The women of MAB are helping the country and the world understand that for companies we are worth absolutely nothing. After these years of struggle, there are a lot more doctors and people in the universities understanding this, now it’s time to continue the fight”, invites Dulce.
No doubt. Women keep on fighting, with determination, on the streets and in their homes. They are affected women defenders of life.