FEDERAL PUBLIC BUDGET DOES NOT ADDRESS INEQUALITIES AMONG BRAZILIAN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Abstract

In Brazil, there are challenges to be faced to ensure that all children and adolescents have access to quality public policies, live with dignity, and develop in a healthy manner, especially with regards to groups historically deprived of their humanity and subjected to structural violence. In this context, budget laws need to align with the reality and needs of the population to avoid further violations and the deepening of inequalities. Stemming from this understanding, this research questioned how the federal government, over the last 12 years - from 2012 to 2023 - planned and executed its budget actions and whether the main focus was the promotion or the protection of the rights of children and adolescents. The Federal Government financed more actions aimed at promoting rights, but without universalizing access or foreseeing specific actions for socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Furthermore, access to human rights by boys and girls is not comprehensive, as no budget actions were directed toward policies for culture, sports and leisure during almost all of the studied period. This reality results in the weakening of children and adolescent policies and perpetuation of existing inequities.