Brazilian slums (favelas) are notoriously known for their violence and misery. And regarding that, Rio de Janeiro is the violence and poverty capitol in this South-American blogger’s country.

A sizeable proportion of Rio’s population – 20% – lives in favelas. Thus, over 20% of Rio’s population lives in poverty and are exposed daily to any sort of violence.

However, for over three years some favelas in Rio passed from problem machines to pride magnets.

The responsible for it is the Security secretary José Mariano Beltrame.

He has declared war on the organized crime and so far has obtained some symbolic victories in this ‘already lost zone’ (as many claim).

When he accepted the job in 2007, Beltrame knew it would be a sheer challenge that could eat him alive.

Even so, he adopted a hard discourse against drug-dealers, militia men and corrupt police officers. The last category was his first target.

Till now almost 800 police officers have been expelled. And not in vain he was dubbed the ‘Iron Man’.

Since then, vehicle robbery was reduced by 27% and the total number of homicides was the smallest since 1991. In Botafogo, for example, where there is the Santa Marta favela, burglaries dropped 71%.

Talking to a leading newspaper in Brazil, Mr. Beltrame said: “A very serious problem like this in Rio can not be resolved overnight. I do not want to paint a rosy picture, but the results are encouraging”.

The main instrument in this crusade has been the Pacifying Police Unity. Created by Beltrame, it has already freed 17 favelas from the organized crime. In the near future, the secretary wants to extend the pacification unities to 40 communities.

He is so proud of this unity that on Saturdays he takes his family to eat Brazilian typical food in Batan, a favela once dominated by militias but now completely pacified.

Must I say Brazilian press loves such attitude?

Women perspective of change

In order to become a member of this special unity, police officers must have an exemplary line of conduct. When part of it, to establish friendship bonds with the community and help actively the inhabitants are crucial steps to succeed in expelling militias.

Two women carry big responsibilities on their shoulders in this combat atmosphere. Priscilla de Oliveira Azevedo, 32, and Rosana Alves, 30, are commanders of two unities.

Although 12 years in the corporation, Priscilla says that never is enough to deal with what she does. Under her command she has 120 policemen to take care of a 8,000 people zone.

Now people from this favela (Santa Marta) can exercise their rights without worrying with violence. “Our main aim was to free this area from drug militias. Now it is done. Citizens can come in and out whenever they want”, Priscilla tells R7 Agency.

Rosana is in charge of the Morro dos Cabritos (Mount of Goats). She was invited to become commander after getting her post-graduation degree on security and citizenship. The challenge upon her is a bit more puzzling than the one upon Priscilla. In Morro dos Cabritos live 20,000 people and she command a force of 142 policemen.

For now, there is not a headquarter for the unity in this favela, so the HQ is nestled in two container ships. Despite the euphoria with the new position of commander she got, Rosana says she feared locals’ opposition for being a woman. But it was in vain. When she has opened a wide grin, the entire community was conquered by her charisma and humanity.

“Instead of bringing prepared solutions, I listen to them and let them create their own solutions. It kindles citizenship as it can not remain linked to my presence here.”

Another good outcome of her job is the denunciations of violence against woman that she receives from the own victims. At the time of militias, women would be afraid of denouncing their husbands, as many of them were allied to militias. Now women have courage and look for the commandant when something happens to them.

However, the root causes for militias’ existence are still there: poverty, lack of education services and of opportunities in general. It is a huge governmental gap that is still opened, but crying out to be closed.