Storytelling Campaign: Caring for Our Children

Caring for Our Children  (Cuidar das Crianças) was a digital storytelling campaign that reaffirmed the protection of childhood as a central concern within feminist visions for society. It responded to the use of child protection discourse in ways that exclude or target feminist and LGBTQIA+ rights, by offering alternative narratives grounded in lived realities and public responsibility. The campaign emphasised that caring for children requires ensuring their families have access to basic rights—such as housing, health, education, and safety.  Through six real-life stories, the campaign highlighted how children’s rights can be protected through strong public policies and collective care. It showcased:

Ana, 11, living in an Indigenous community, whose story shows that protecting traditional territories also protects childhoods.

Jessica, 4, from a housing occupation, whose family gained safety and dignity through access to secure shelter.

Gabriel, 6, living with Congenital Zika Syndrome, whose wellbeing depends on inclusive health services, mobility support and income for carers.

Sofia, 10, who learned about consent and puberty through age-appropriate sexuality education at school.

Carolina, 8, who experiences an antiracist education that values her Black identity, ancestry and community history.

Pedro, 9, who benefits from community-based mental health services. His story shows how territorialised public care fosters emotional wellbeing and social connection.

The campaign acted as a counter-narrative to far-right co-optations of “child protection”, while mobilising support for intersectional and territorial approaches to public policy, and challenged conservative perspectives that invoke “child protection” to attack feminist, LGBTQIA+ and reproductive rights, while simultaneously dismantling the very social systems that ensure children's safety, health and wellbeing.

Illustrations: @alecilustra