BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) – Brazil’s government is launching a pilot program that aims to reduce violence among young blacks, who suffer a higher homicide rate than any other group.
Racial Equality Minister Luiza Bairros says the Live Youth program will kick off in the northeastern city of Maceio. It will expand education programs, create cultural spaces in violent communities and train people to work with at-risk youth.
The country’s Health Ministry says 53 percent of all murders in Brazil involve young male victims, with blacks making up 75 percent of those youth. Brazil claims the world’s second biggest population of African descent, only behind Nigeria.
Official figures show Brazil’s black population has made some advances. Their income has grown by 67 percent over the past decade, compared to 45 percent for income among whites.