The State Secretariat for Women takes the topic to Flamengo's youth academy
Partnership addresses the construction of masculinities with athletes in a respectful way
By Communication - inWith five world titles, Brazil is one of the countries that produces the most athletes in the world, especially due to the existence of its youth teams. Great teams, like Flamengo, already know that physical training alone isn't enough. Developing athletes who are aware and confident in who they are also makes a difference. Therefore, Flamengo and the State Secretariat for Women have partnered to provide Men's Education and Responsibility Service (SerH) programs to U-17 athletes. Last Monday (12), the players attended a lecture at the team's training center in Vargem Grande.
"SerH is a program that aims to fully implement the Maria da Penha Law, bringing men into this collective movement to prevent and combat violence against girls and women. We are very pleased to have partners like Flamengo, aware of their role in society and in the development of their athletes," says Heloisa Aguiar, Secretary of State for Women.
In the conversation with the young people, it was shown how the use of violence is harmful to everyone involved, in addition to encouraging men to stand alongside women, as allies, acting respectfully.
According to SerH coordinator Paulo Sarcon, preventing violence against women requires reaching out to young people. Being at Flamengo's Training Center is an important way to influence young players.
"We had a discussion about the process of constructing masculinity and how we learn to be men, and we're always guided, due to machismo, to assert masculinity through violence. These processes aren't natural; they're learned. In this way, it's possible for men to learn nonviolent behavior," says Paulo.
Flamengo's Youth Human Development Coordinator, Patrícia Negreiros, says that since last year, when SerH had its first conversation with the team, she has noticed that the issue of masculinities has been discussed with young people on a daily basis.
"Since they're at a relationship age, we understand it's crucial to educate and raise awareness about their responsibilities as part of a healthy relationship, beyond the "no means no" and respect, and how to avoid negative examples in and outside of sports. These boys will become men and opinion makers, especially because of the importance of the Flamengo jersey they wear," he emphasized.
U-17 coach Eduardo Zuma points out that, in addition to physical preparation, it is necessary to bring important dialogues, such as the exercise of masculinities, to the formation of character:
"Performance is part of their career, but before playing football, athletes are people who need to develop on and off the field. I believe prevention is the best medicine for everything, and just as we prevent physical injuries, we can also prevent problems in relationships, so they can become more aware and make better decisions."
The SerH
SerH is a program that aims to guarantee the implementation of the Maria da Penha Law in its entirety, bringing men into this movement, which must be collective, of prevention and confrontation of violence against girls and women, based on three axes of action: accountability, prevention of violence and promotion of care.
The program encourages municipalities to implement the methodology of reflective groups for men, a resource provided for in the Maria da Penha Law, in addition to promoting technical training for professionals who will act as facilitators.
In terms of accountability, reflective groups are planned in prison units based on a Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Women's Secretariat and the Penitentiary Administration Secretariat.
As a form of violence prevention, the program seeks to raise awareness among men, demonstrating that the use of violence is harmful to everyone involved. These actions can take place in public squares, schools, religious temples of any faith, at general events, among other possibilities.
The axis of care aims for men to stand side by side with women, as allies, in awareness and mobilization campaigns, such as the White Ribbon campaign, on the National Day of Mobilization of Men to End Violence against Women, and others.