Women from Brazil’s Landless Workers’ Movement (MST) staged protests across 24 states on March 13, enhancing pressure on the Lula government to advance agrarian reform. Protests highlighted agribusiness issues, including violence and pesticide use, while the MST criticized recent government expropriation actions as insufficient. The movement also called attention to women’s roles in agriculture and pushed for sustainable practices within agrarian reform efforts.
On March 13, women from Brazil’s Landless Rural Workers’ Movement (MST) engaged in widespread actions across 24 states, intensifying pressure on the Lula government to advance agrarian reform. This mobilization coincided with the Landless Women’s Day of Struggle and precedes MST’s Red April actions aimed at demanding reforms amidst issues raised by agribusiness, including pesticide use and violence against rural communities.
A letter from MST articulated their objectives, claiming, “to denounce those who have historically been enemies of the people, our longtime antagonists in the class struggle”. They highlighted the government’s recent expropriation of seven farms for creating 138 settlements yet criticized it as inadequate compared to Lula’s promises, falling short of addressing the needs of at least 65 families long involved in occupations.
MST women particularly focus on opposing forestry corporations, especially those promoting eucalyptus and pine monocultures. Notably, around 1,000 women established an encampment at a Suzano pulp company site in Espírito Santo, protesting the detrimental impacts of these monocultures that have emerged since the 1960s, as noted by a local MST spokesperson. Protests also occurred in Maranhão and Rio Grande do Sul against harmful agribusiness practices.
In Bahia, 300 families occupied lands deemed unproductive for years, while 600 women blocked a major highway, seeking justice against land misuse. In Ceará, over 220 families have similarly occupied a critical agribusiness area, demanding settlement of 200 families on the sought 2,000 hectares as part of their agrarian reform pursuit.
Actions also included occupying the Brazil’s Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra) in Maceió, where around 800 women called for urgent agrarian reforms. Margarida da Silva emphasized, “Women are also responsible for providing food to society” and articulated their commitment to improving agricultural productivity through reform efforts.
In São Paulo, MST members engaged local lawmakers, urging action on agrarian reforms during a meeting with Incra’s superintendents, presenting documented demands reflecting local challenges. Concurrently, in Mato Grosso, over 150 women mobilized at their state Assembly, protesting recent legislations supporting environmental degradation, including proposals threatening the Amazon rainforest.
In the Federal District, activities continued with MST members planting trees and hosting events to raise awareness on women’s crucial agricultural roles. Leidiane Evangelista called for recognition of women’s contributions, stressing the importance of promoting agroecology for sustainable living.
The series of actions led by the Landless Workers’ Movement has highlighted significant issues surrounding agrarian reform in Brazil, aiming to hold the government accountable for its commitments. The movement calls for greater recognition of women’s roles in agriculture and the necessity for sustainable practices to safeguard land rights and community health. Despite efforts, MST remains critical of the government’s inadequate response to long-standing demands for agrarian reform, underscoring a continuing struggle for land and justice in rural areas.
Original Source: www.brasildefato.com.br
