Damares Alves

Alves was the Minister of Women, Families, and Human Rights during the Presidency of Jair Bolsonaro{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/06/outcry-over-bolsonaros-plan-to-put-conservative-in-charge-of-new-family-and-women-ministry|title=Bolsonaro abolishes human rights ministry in favour of family values | World news|website=The Guardian|access-date=2018-12-09}} from 2019 to 2022. She is the second female minister appointed to the new government as of December 2018.{{Cite web|url=https://brazilian.report/power/2018/12/07/damares-alves-minister-human-rights/|title=Who is Damares Alves, Brazil's new Minister of Human Rights?|last=Marshall|first=Euan|date=2018-12-07|website=The Brazilian Report|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-09}} In the 2022 election, Damares was elected Senator for the Federal District.{{cite web|url=https://oglobo.globo.com/politica/eleicoes-2022/noticia/2022/10/senado-df-com-mais-de-50percent-das-urnas-apuradas-damares-tem-19-pontos-de-vantagem-sobre-flavia-arruda.ghtml|title=Damares Alves supera Flávia Arruda e é eleita senadora pelo Distrito Federal|website=O Globo|language=pt|first=Bernardo|last=Yoneshigue|date=2 October 2022|accessdate=2 October 2022|url-access=subscription}}

Alves defends the prohibition of abortion after rape and in risk pregnancies, women trafficking, supports legislation forcing schools and hospitals to report attempts at suicide,{{Cite web|url=https://www.oantagonista.com/brasil/damares-faz-ronda-no-senado-para-aprovar-projeto-antissuicidio/|title=Damares faz ronda no Senado para aprovar projeto antissuicídio|date=2019-04-03|website=O Antagonista|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-05-04}} the prohibition of juvenile self-harming and drug consumption, which she said include taking hormone blockers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mdh.gov.br/todas-as-noticias/2019/maio/ministra-damares-alves-promove-acoes-do-ministerio-em-parceria-com-o-tjse|title=Ministra Damares Alves promove ações do ministério em parceria com o TJSE|last=Oliveira|first=Raquel|website=Mulher, da Família e dos Direitos Humanos|language=pt-br|access-date=2019-05-04|archive-date=16 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191016221351/https://www.mdh.gov.br/todas-as-noticias/2019/maio/ministra-damares-alves-promove-acoes-do-ministerio-em-parceria-com-o-tjse|url-status=dead}} She declared that she is engaged directly in the "preparation of youth for the Fourth Industrial Revolution" and intended to consolidate an agenda between different ministries of the Federal Government capable of integrating programs, policies, projects and initiatives under the same, articulated perspective of impact - modernizing education.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mdh.gov.br/todas-as-noticias/2019/abril/governo-federal-anuncia-agenda-juventude-4-0-em-todo-o-pais|title=Governo Federal anuncia Agenda Juventude 4.0 em todo o país|last=Oliveira|first=Raquel|website=Mulher, da Família e dos Direitos Humanos|language=pt-br|access-date=2019-05-04|archive-date=13 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191013182002/https://www.mdh.gov.br/todas-as-noticias/2019/abril/governo-federal-anuncia-agenda-juventude-4-0-em-todo-o-pais|url-status=dead}}

Born in Paraná in 1964, daughter of northeastern parents, Alves migrated to the northeast with her family.{{Cite web|url=https://oglobo.globo.com/brasil/damares-alves-trajetoria-conservadora-da-ministra-que-criou-polemica-23367259|title= Damares Alves: a trajetória conservadora da ministra que criou polêmica|last1= Portinari|first1= Natália |last2= Ohara |first2= Carlos |date= January 13, 2019|website= oglobo.globo.com |language=pt-BR|access-date=}} As a child, she lived in Bahia, in Alagoas and Sergipe. She also lived in São Carlos in the São Paulo state. These moves are strictly linked to her father's profession, as he was the pastor Henrique Alves Sobrinho, from the "Quadrangular" Gospel Church - the Foursquare Gospel Church.{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/pt_br/article/a3bz3a/antes-de-ser-ministra-damares-tentou-impedir-aborto-em-paciente-com-cancer%20Por%20Eduardo%20Goulart%20de%20Andrade.%20Vice,%2023%20de%20janeiro%20de%202019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506131759/https://www.vice.com/pt_br/article/a3bz3a/antes-de-ser-ministra-damares-tentou-impedir-aborto-em-paciente-com-cancer%2520Por%2520Eduardo%2520Goulart%2520de%2520Andrade.%2520Vice,%252023%2520de%2520janeiro%2520de%25202019|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 May 2019|title=Antes de ser ministra, Damares tentou impedir aborto em paciente com câncer|last1=Andrade|first1=Eduardo Goulart de|last2=Pavarin|first2=Guilherme|date=2019-01-23|website=Vice|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-05-04|last3=Tisseo|first3=Cassio}}

She studied pedagogy at the Faculdade Pio X in Aracaju and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1986. She then studied law at the {{ill|Faculdades Integradas de São Carlos|pt}} and obtained a Bachelor of Arts in 1992.{{Cite web|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2019/02/posso-ir-as-ruas-de-bracos-dados-com-feministas-por-salarios-iguais-diz-damares.shtml|title= Posso ir às ruas de braços dados com feministas por salários iguais, diz Damares |last= Ohara |first= Carlos |date= February 18, 2019 |website= folha.uol.com.br |language=pt-BR|access-date=}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.saocarlosagora.com.br/cidade/fadisc-e-descredenciada-pelo-mec/21538/|title=Fadisc é descredenciada pelo MEC|website=www.saocarlosagora.com.br|access-date=2019-05-04}}

In São Carlos, she worked for the Municipal Secretary of Tourism,{{Cite web|url=https://www.acidadeon.com/saocarlos/cotidiano/cidades/NOT,0,0,1391139,futura+ministra+da+mulher+familia+e+direitos+humanos+morou+em+sao+carlos.aspx|title=Futura ministra da Mulher, Família e Direitos Humanos morou em São Carlos|last=EPTV|website=ACidade ON São Carlos|language=pt-br|access-date=2019-05-04}} serving in the old COMTUR (Municipal Commission of Tourism), during the government of the mayor Vadinho de Guzzi.{{Cite web|url=https://www.saocarlosdiaenoite.com.br/politica/57110-futura-ministra-da-mulher-familia-e-direitos-humanos-se-formou-e-ja-morou-em-sao-carlos|title=Portal SCDN.|date=7 December 2018|website=www.saocarlosdiaenoite.com.br|access-date=2019-05-04}} In 1999, shortly before obtaining her registration in the state bar exam, (the OAB-SP), she became junior parliamentarian auxiliary in Brasília.{{Cite web|url=https://luizmuller.com/2018/12/22/antes-mesmo-de-ser-nomeada-ministra-damares-alves-e-flagrada-usufruindo-de-dinheiro-publico-hipocrisia-pouca-e-bobagem/|title=Antes mesmo de ser nomeada Ministra, Damares Alves é flagrada usufruindo de dinheiro público.Hipocrisia pouca é bobagem!|last=Müller|first=Luiz|date=2018-12-22|website=Luíz Müller Blog|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-05-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/pt/article/damares-alves-a-pastora-que-dividiu-a-esquerda-e-irritou-a-direita-antes-de-tomar-posse/|title=Damares Alves: a pastora que dividiu a esquerda e irritou a direita antes de tomar posse|last1=Tisseo|first1=Cassio|last2=Pavarin|first2=Guilherme|date=2018-12-21|website=Vice|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-05-04|last3=Cesarotti|first3=Fernando}}

She was a pastor of Foursquare Gospel Church{{Cite web|url=https://www.terra.com.br/noticias/brasil/politica/damares-alves-e-conhecida-por-defender-direito-a-vida-e-politicas-conservadoras,e437381af58aa39c380cac1f7ada2f481v8v2i9t.html|title=O que defende Damares Alves, a futura ministra da Mulher|website=Terra|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-05-04}} and also of the Baptist Church of Lagoinha, in Belo Horizonte.{{Cite web|url=https://www.lagoinha.com/ibl-noticia/pastora-da-lagoinha-damares-alves-assumira-ministerio-de-direitos-humanos-familia-e-mulheres-no-proximo-governo-federal/|title=Pastora da Lagoinha, Damares Alves assumirá Ministério de Direitos Humanos, Família e Mulheres no próximo Governo Federal|website=Lagoinha|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-05-04}}

Alves was co-ordinator of the educational project of Proteger Program,{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}} organization created by Guilherme Zanina Schelb, regional attorney of the Republic in the Federal District and member of the National Association of Evangelical Jurists (organization of which Alves was Director of Parliamentary Affairs{{Cite web|url=https://brasilsemdrogas.wordpress.com/sobre/|title=Quem somos|date=2016-01-19|website=Movimento Nacional da Cidadania pela Vida - Brasil Sem Drogas|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-05-04|archive-date=7 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190107233528/https://brasilsemdrogas.wordpress.com/sobre/|url-status=dead}}). Schelb was known for defending the project nicknamed "Escola sem Partido" (Nonpartisan School).{{Cite web|url=https://oglobo.globo.com/sociedade/educacao/guilherme-schelb-cotado-por-bolsonaro-para-educacao-defensor-do-escola-sem-partido-23251604|title=Guilherme Schelb, cotado por Bolsonaro para a Educação, é defensor do Escola Sem Partido - Jornal O Globo|website=oglobo.globo.com|date=22 November 2018 |access-date=2019-05-04}}

In 1999, Alves moved to Brasília to work as a parliamentary assistant in the office of deputy Joshua Bengtson (PTB-PA). She also worked for federal deputy Arolde de Oliveira (PSD), a senator elected by Rio de Janeiro in 2018, and whose success at the polls in October was due, in large part, to the support of the so-called "Bolsonaro clan."{{Cite book|title=Câmara dos Deputados|last=Brazil|first=Federative Republic of|publisher=Boletim Administrativo|year=2015|url=http://www.camara.gov.br/boletimadm/suplementos/2015/SP060315.pdf}} She served as a parliamentary auxiliary in Senator Magno Malta's office,{{Cite web|url=https://www6g.senado.leg.br/transparencia/sen/631/pessoal/?local=gabinete&ano=2016|title=Pessoal de Gabinete de Magno Malta em 2016 - Transparência|website=www6g.senado.leg.br|access-date=2019-05-04}}{{Cite web|url=https://gauchazh.clicrbs.com.br/politica/noticia/2018/12/bolsonaro-convida-damares-alves-para-direitos-humanos-e-desagrada-bancada-evangelica-cjp4oz3no002101r3sa6h424w.html|title=Bolsonaro convida Damares Alves para Direitos Humanos e desagrada bancada evangélica|date=2018-12-01|website=GaúchaZH|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-05-04}} prior to the bond with the senator in favor of the Espírito Santo state. He was chief of cabinet of another exponent of the Neopentecostal bench in the Chamber of Deputies, the federal deputy João Campos de Araújo (PRB).{{Cite web|url=https://www.terra.com.br/noticias/brasil/politica/candidato-a-presidencia-da-camara-joao-campos-elogia-escolha-de-damares,fe001cdf6706c2ca6fdb3e7eb28f73f6v59rbijz.html|title=Candidato à presidência da Câmara, João Campos elogia escolha de Damares|website=Terra|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-05-04}}

File:Embaixador Todd Chapman se encontra Ministra Damares Alves (50437655906).jpg

She has worked as legal adviser in the National Congress for more than 20 years, before her appointment by Bolsonaro to the Ministry of Women, Families and Human Rights.{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpostbrasil.com/2018/12/06/damares-alves-o-que-pensa-a-futura-ministra-da-mulher-familia-e-direitos-humanos_a_23611087/|title=Brasil sem aborto. Prioridade a mulheres ribeirinhas e ciganos. O que pensa a nova ministra da Mulher|date=2018-12-07|website=HuffPost Brasil|language=pt|access-date=2019-05-04|archive-date=10 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210063226/https://www.huffpostbrasil.com/2018/12/06/damares-alves-o-que-pensa-a-futura-ministra-da-mulher-familia-e-direitos-humanos_a_23611087/|url-status=dead}}

From 2013, during a lecture at a church in Mato Grosso do Sul, she presented herself as a lawyer and master in education, constitutional law and family law, although she never received a master's degree and her schooling is limited to a Law degree.{{Cite web|url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/poder/2019/01/sem-diploma-damares-ja-se-apresentou-como-mestre-em-educacao-e-direito.shtml|title=Sem diploma, Damares já se apresentou como mestre em educação e direito|date=2019-01-31|website=Folha de S.Paulo|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-05-04}} On that occasion, she was criticizing a Dutch custom.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oantagonista.com/tv/video-veja-fala-de-damares-que-irritou-os-holandeses/|title=VÍDEO: Veja a fala de Damares que irritou os holandeses|date=2019-01-24|website=O Antagonista|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-05-04}} When confronted about her lack of credentials, she argued saying she was a Christian master (or "teacher," as in most of the versions), as in Ephesians 4:11 "And it is he who gifted some to be apostles, others to be prophets, others to be evangelists, and still others to be pastors and teachers".

Alves had been a legal adviser in the National Congress for more than 20 years prior to her appointment by Bolsonaro.{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpostbrasil.com/2018/12/06/damares-alves-o-que-pensa-a-futura-ministra-da-mulher-familia-e-direitos-humanos_a_23611087/|title=Brasil sem aborto. Prioridade a mulheres ribeirinhas e ciganos. O que pensa a nova ministra da Mulher|last=Melo|first=Debora|date=2018-12-07|website=HuffPost Brasil|language=pt|access-date=2018-12-09|archive-date=10 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210063226/https://www.huffpostbrasil.com/2018/12/06/damares-alves-o-que-pensa-a-futura-ministra-da-mulher-familia-e-direitos-humanos_a_23611087/|url-status=dead}}

As Minister of Women, Families and Human Rights of Brazil, she, at the United Nations 63rd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in March 2019, affirmed that the combatting violence against women is a definite goal of the government, as well as the growth of girls.{{Cite web|url=https://news.un.org/pt/story/2019/03/1663851|title=CSW63: ministra Damares Alves diz que alvo do Brasil é "erradicar violência doméstica"|date=2019-03-12|website=ONU News|language=pt|access-date=2019-05-04}}

File:Almoço e Reunião do Programa Abrace o Marajó com a Ministra Damares.jpg

In 2020, she stated that she wishes to see more women in politics and launched a course to encourage women to run for office called Marathon+ Women in Politics.[https://lab.org.uk/alves-disciples-evangelical-women-run-for-office/ Latin America Bureau] More women stood for election that year, including Maely Benedetti who was elected as a local councillor for Tucumã in the northern state of Pará on a pro-family ticket, and Rita Passos, who was runner-up in the mayoral race in Itu. Both were supported by Alves.

Deeply religious, she has claimed to have seen a vision of Jesus atop a guava tree, and has stated that "the State is secular, but this minister is extremely Christian, and because of that, she believes in God's design."{{Cite web | url=https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2019/01/boys-wear-blue-and-girls-wear-pink-says-human-rights-minister.shtml | title="Boys Wear Blue and Girls Wear Pink," Says Human Rights Minister| date=2019-01-04}}

Alves has indicated that religious views should take greater prominence in national politics. In 2016 journalists reported that she had addressed worshippers in an Evangelical church telling them, "It is time for the church to tell the nation that we have come ... It is time for the church to govern."

She also disclosed that she is a supporter of "traditional" gender roles within society and an opponent of what she regards as "ideological indoctrination," suggesting that girls should be regarded as "princesses" who wear pink and boys as little "princes" who wear blue. In a viral video, she claimed that Elsa from Disney's Frozen must be a lesbian because the princess ends up alone in a castle of ice.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkcq2n8KkEk|title=Ministra Damares diz que Elsa, de 'Frozen', é lésbica|website=Band Jornalismo on Youtube|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-01-07}} Alves says that "women are made to be mothers.".{{Cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/america-latina/2019/01/31/brasil-acusan-a-una-ministra-de-jair-bolsonaro-de-haber-raptado-una-nina-indigena-que-cuida-como-su-hija/|title=Brasil: acusan a una ministra de Jair Bolsonaro de haber raptado una niña indígena que cuida como su hija|last=De 2019|first=31 De Enero|website=Infobae|date=31 January 2019 |language=es-ES|access-date=2019-08-25}}

She also supports prohibiting abortion in cases of rape or incest (only supporting it on cases where the mother's or baby's life/health is threatened) and harsher punishments on women trafficking and rape. She also previously defended projects to fight juvenile self-harming and suicide as well as juvenile drug consumption (which includes, in her opinion, hormone blockers).

Alves is a vocal critic of the annual carnival festival in Brazil, saying that "carnival parties, unfortunately, are an affront and a disrespect to the Christian faith." Alves promised to pass a bill protecting evangelicals who protest at the carnival.{{cite web|title=Evangelical Christians in Brazil resolve to 'bring Jesus' to carnival revelers|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/26/evangelical-christians-in-brazil-resolve-to-bring-jesus-to-carnival-revelers|date=26 February 2020|access-date=27 February 2020|newspaper=The Guardian|first=Dom|last=Phillips}}

Alves has an adoptive daughterRenata Cafardo e Marianna Holanda (23 de dezembro de 2018). «O que defende Damares Alves, a futura ministra da Mulher». Terra. Consultado em 2 de janeiro de 2019 of Kamayurá indigenous origin, born in 1998 in Xingu Indigenous Park. Some journalists of Época Magazine in Brazil went to the tribe, who claim the child was kidnapped from them;{{Cite web|url=https://epoca.globo.com/a-historia-de-lulu-kamayura-india-criada-como-filha-pela-ministra-damares-alves-23416132|title=A história de Lulu Kamayurá, a índia criada como filha pela ministra Damares Alves|date=2019-01-31|website=Época|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-05-04}} they say she was lured to Brasilia by Alves and an associate named Márcia Suzuki, who presented themselves as missionaries, under the pretense of taking her to the city for dental treatment. Alves and her adopted daughter deny it, while Alves claims she saved her from malnutrition and possible infanticide.{{Cite web|url=https://www.terra.com.br/noticias/brasil/politica/indios-dizem-que-filha-adotiva-de-damares-foi-levada-irregularmente-diz-revista,6cf1e4db43c798192ef74dd82679d0c1yqyni3dv.html|title=Damares levou e adotou índia de forma irregular, diz tribo|website=Terra|language=pt-BR|access-date=2019-05-04}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Commons category|Damares Alves}}

{{s-start}}

{{s-off}}

{{s-bef|before=Gustavo do Vale Rocha|as=Minister of Human Rights}}

{{s-ttl|title=Minister of Women, Families and Human Rights|years=2019–2022}}

{{s-aft|after=Cristiane Britto}}

{{s-end}}

{{Bolsonaro cabinet}}

{{Federal Senate}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Alves, Damares}}

Category:1964 births

Category:Living people

Category:20th-century Baptist ministers

Category:20th-century Brazilian lawyers

Category:21st-century Baptist ministers

Category:21st-century Brazilian lawyers

Category:Brazilian anti-abortion activists

Category:Brazilian anti-communists

Category:Brazilian evangelicals

Category:Female critics of feminism

Category:Government ministers of Brazil

Category:People from Paranaguá

Category:Republicans (Brazil) politicians

Category:Progressistas politicians

Category:Women government ministers of Brazil

Category:Anti-transgender activists

Category:Members of the Federal Senate (Brazil)