Government announces Brazil’s withdrawal from Geneva Consensus

The Brazilian government announced Tuesday (Jan. 17) that the country will withdraw from the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women’s Health and Strengthening the Family.

In 2020, Brazil and 30 other countries signed the agreement, which represents a position against abortion and for the recognition of the family as the basis of society. The adherence to the declaration was made during the Jair Bolsonaro administration.

In a statement, the ministries of Foreign Relations, Health, Women, Human Rights, and Citizenship said the government considers the document to have “a limiting understanding of sexual and reproductive rights and the concept of family.”

According to the government, the change in position is also aimed at complying with Brazilian legislation and international commitments made by Brazil in defense of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

The nation’s entry into the Santiago Commitment and the Panama Declaration was also announced.

“The government understands that the Santiago Commitment and the Panama Declaration are fully aligned with the relevant Brazilian legislation, in particular with regards to the promotion of gender equality and equity in different spheres, the political participation of women, combating all forms of violence and discrimination as well as sexual and reproductive rights,” the joint statement from the ministries reads.