In Brazil, a group of women have been protesting at the city hall in São Paulo over the mayor’s policies.
The demonstrators accused João Doria of dismantling measures implemented as part of the fight against violence against women.
After taking office in January, Doria eliminated the Municipal Secretariat of Policies for Women and created a Policy Coordination within the Municipal Secretariat for Human Rights and Citizenship.
“Violence against women is increasing. Imagine if in the largest city in the country, an elitist and reactionary mayor ends up with all the organs to combat violence and the policies of attention to victims of aggression,” said Gicelia Bitencourt, secretary of the Working Women of CTB-SP union movement.
The trade unionist also said the Women’s Citizenship Centers and the Women’s Reference Centers are under threat.
Bitencourt believes the services available to victims are suffering from a lack of funds.
“Budget cuts made by him show the elitist and misogynist character of his administration, in addition to limiting the Free Pass for municipal buses of young people, he wants to increase the age of the elderly who have that right,” she said.
Doria, a multi-millionaire, was brought to power last October by a historic win in the city’s elections.
Previously he had hosted the Brazilian version of U.S. President Donald Trump’s former reality TV show The Apprentice — and he is being touted as a possible candidate in next year’s presidential elections.
But he has downplayed comparisons with Trump.
Last year, Doria’s wife Bia was heavily criticized for saying that poor people want “very little” – suggesting that sometimes a “handshake” or a “hug” would suffice.
In terms of his own political ambitions, Doria said he would do everything possible to stop the nation’s former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva from regaining the presidency.
Asked if he might run for office if he was the only candidate ahead of Lula in the polls, Doria replied, “Only God knows the future.”
teleSUR
