CIESPI’s long term interest in young people living on the streets has just resulted in its latest publication, The voices of pregnant young women and mothers in vulnerable situation: A study and suggestions for public policies. Conducted with CIESPI’s long term partner, the service organization the Beneficial Association of Sao Martinho, it is the third of the series of studies on the topic. The report analyses information from and about a group of young pregnant women or young mothers living either on the streets or in squats in the central district of the city of Rio de Janeiro served by Sao Martinho.

It is well documented that most young women on the streets when they become pregnant either return home or seek some kind of residential care. But our sample remained on the streets. Ninety-two percent of them were not studying anywhere. About the same percentage declared themselves black or brown. Of roughly half the women who were working, most were hustling small change on the streets. While some received financial aid from their families or the Brazilian family allowance most were living under the U.N. poverty line of US$5.50 a day. Seventy-six percent of the sample lived in squats or abandoned buildings. Many experience violence in their daily lives.

The women said their main concern was getting food and money from e.g. the family allowance. About 30 percent said that no-one was helping them to raise their children.