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Country watch: Brazil.


 Young girls and female adolescents living on the streets of Rio de Janeiro are often open to discrimination, abuse, violence, and exploitation from society and male peers. They are ignorant of and misinformed about bodily functions, lack access to and information on health services and family planning, and run a high risk of pregnancy, unsafe abortions, HIV/sexually transmitted disease (STD) infections, drug abuse, and other health problems. This paper describes the work of the Centre for the Defense of the Rights of Children and Adolescents in combating these problems since 1988. Center workers first met the girls on the street, and began informal conversations. Gradually, trust was gained, and staff were able to determine some of the girls' needs. Help was provided to the girls in securing identification papers. Workers eventually offered to accompany girls to health clinics. Successful experiences at the clinics yielded the establishment of reference services where girls could go for physical exams, prenatal car, births, and the treatment of STDs. Through focus groups, the girls have helped develop a video on AIDS, printed educational materials, memory and board games, and most recently t-shirts with an education theme. Girls, however, did get bored viewing the video, and had limited ability to maintain and carry printed materials in their street existence. The program has proved successful with girls ultimately seeking clinic help on their own. A special ID card testifies to their rights to receive services. Center staff support the slow development of the program and their relationships with the girls as important in gaining trust.
