Brazilian Congress Overturns Veto on Zika Reparations Bill
A group of mothers whose children were born with Zika-related microcephaly in Brazil have engaged in sustained advocacy for government compensation. Their efforts culminated in the Brazilian Congress overturning a presidential veto, making a reparations bill law.
Impact of Zika Virus
One such case involves Ruty Pereira, who gave birth to her daughter Tamara in 2015. Tamara was diagnosed with microcephaly, a condition where the brain is underdeveloped, often resulting in physical and developmental challenges. Medical professionals indicated that many children born to mothers infected with Zika during pregnancy experienced similar conditions, which can affect motor skills, hearing, and vision.
Following Tamara's diagnosis, Pereira's routine involved frequent medical appointments and emergency visits. Other mothers, like Iana Flor, reported similar challenges in managing their children's complex health needs. This caregiving responsibility often led to significant personal and financial strain.
Formation of Advocacy Groups
Pereira and other mothers of children affected by Zika later connected through shared experiences at therapy sessions. This led to the formation of a community association called FamÃlia de Anjos (Family of Angels), led by Alessandra Hora dos Santos. The group aimed to advocate for the needs of approximately 3,300 children born with Zika-related disabilities in Brazil over a four-year period. Research indicates that the disease disproportionately affected poorer, rural families, often due to inadequate sanitation and water infrastructure, which contributes to mosquito breeding.
Luciana Brito, a psychologist and researcher, observed that the challenges for these families continued long after the initial public health crisis subsided, prompting the need for sustained advocacy.
Initial Advocacy: Housing Access
One of the initial advocacy priorities for FamÃlia de Anjos was securing public housing. In Brazil, low-income families with children with disabilities are eligible for priority public housing. However, the group faced difficulties in accessing these benefits. In 2020, Pereira participated in a protest with other mothers in front of a government housing office, advocating for their right to housing. This action resulted in a meeting with officials and the subsequent allocation of ground-floor apartments to several families.
This housing initiative fostered a supportive community among the mothers, enabling mutual assistance, such as childcare arrangements that allowed mothers like Pereira to pursue educational goals, including completing her high school equivalency.
Demand for Reparations
The advocacy expanded to demanding reparations from the Brazilian government, asserting that a lack of adequate sanitation, health conditions, and public policies contributed to the widespread impact of the Zika virus. Dr. Mardjane Lemos, an infectious disease physician, supported the claim that these women were neglected by the government.
Alessandra Hora dos Santos represented the group's case in the Brazilian capital. Late in 2023, the reparations bill was passed by the Brazilian Congress. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva subsequently vetoed the bill, citing budgetary concerns. However, in the summer of 2024, Congress overturned the presidential veto, making the bill law.
Enactment of Reparations Bill
The new law stipulates that each child affected by Zika will receive a one-time payment of approximately $9,000, followed by an annual payment of $18,000 for the remainder of their lives. This compensation is designated for "moral damage" (dano moral). The mothers involved in the advocacy expressed that this legislation would significantly improve their children's quality of life and provide a form of dignity. The passage of the bill was met with celebration by some mothers present in the National Congress Palace.