Women occupy a farm in the interior of São Paulo during a mobilization of the MST
Women from the MST occupied the Fazenda Santo Antônio in Presidente Epitácio, Brazil, during a national mobilization to advocate for land reform.
A group of women associated with the Landless Workers' Movement (MST) occupied the Fazenda Santo Antônio in Presidente Epitácio, São Paulo, in the early hours of Monday, March 9. The action was part of the National Women Without Land Struggle Day, which takes place across Brazil from March 8 to 12. Approximately 400 women participated in this demonstration, which aimed to put pressure on the São Paulo government regarding land reform and the urgent need for allocating land to families that have been waiting for settlement for many years.
The occupation highlights the MST's ongoing efforts to advocate for agrarian reform in Brazil, wherein the movement claims the 1,675 hectares of the farm are classified as devolutas, or vacant land. This situation underscores the broader issue of land distribution in the country, where many rural families struggle to attain rightful ownership or access to farming land. The initiative emphasizes the precariousness faced by numerous families, awaiting government attention and assistance.
The local police were present during the action, and after some discussions, the women vacated the area without any reported confrontation. This peaceful resolution is indicative of the MST's strategic approach to raising awareness on land reform, using non-violent protests to draw attention to their cause while fostering dialogue with authorities. The involvement of women in this struggle not only highlights gender dynamics within agrarian reform movements but also the critical role women play in advocating for social justice issues in Brazil.