Santos expands youth support and child rights initiatives

The city of Santos is implementing new measures to support local youth and strengthen child rights. The Municipal Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents (CMDCA) has launched territorial pre-conferences to prepare for its 13th Municipal Conference. This initiative emphasizes youth protagonism, aiming for children and adolescents to make up at least 50% of the conference participants to discuss topics such as education, health, and the prevention of child labor.

Additionally, the municipal government has updated legislation to expand the Youth Valorization Program (PVJ). The monthly stipend for participants has increased by over 300%, rising from R$ 130 to R$ 600, with annual adjustments based on the IPCA. The program has also lowered the minimum age requirement from 16 to 14 years, targeting individuals aged 14 to 21 who are enrolled in at least the first year of high school and meet specific socio-assistance criteria.