Meet Macaé Evaristo, Brazil’s New Human Rights Minister
Evaristo has been a teacher since the age of 19. She has a college degree in social work, plus a master’s and a PhD in education
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva appointed Macaé Evaristo as the new human rights minister, replacing Silvio Almeida who was dismissed over sexual harassment allegations. Evaristo, a social worker and teacher, has a strong background in education and activism, advocating for marginalized communities.
Throughout her career, Evaristo has championed policies to promote diversity and inclusion, particularly for black women and native Brazilians. She has pledged to prioritize fighting sexual violence against children, protecting the rights of the elderly, and supporting the homeless in her new role.
Evaristo emphasized the importance of conducting thorough investigations into the allegations against her predecessor and ensuring transparency and privacy for all involved. She will temporarily step down from her position as a Minas Gerais Congresswoman to fully commit to her duties as the human rights minister.