Vulnerability of Indigenous Children and Adolescents in the Amazon Facing Human Rights Violations

Abstract

Indigenous childhood in the Amazon is marked by social and cultural inequalities that place children and adolescents in conditions of significant vulnerability. The lack of effective public policies, restricted access to essential services, and institutional discrimination contribute to the exclusion and invisibility of this group, resulting in repeated violations of fundamental rights. Among the most frequent issues are sexual violence, child exploitation, early mortality, and cultural dilemmas that directly affect the dignity and citizenship of indigenous childhood. This study sought to understand how these vulnerabilities manifest and persist. A literature review was conducted, encompassing ten academic and institutional publications released between 2020 and 2025. The selection of works considered their timeliness, thematic relevance, and pertinence to the Amazonian context, enabling a broad perspective on the factors conditioning these realities. The qualitative, exploratory, and descriptive design of the research allowed the analysis of multiple dimensions, including health, social exclusion, ethnic-racial inequality, sexual violence, child exploitation, and cultural and legal issues related to the protection of indigenous childhood. The findings indicate that vulnerability is multifaceted, stemming from the interaction between structural and cultural factors. In addition to the lack of essential services and appropriate policies, vulnerabilities in urban areas emerge in distinct ways, underscoring the urgency of integrated strategies. It is crucial to develop responses that respect cultural diversity and ensure fundamental rights, providing protection and dignity for indigenous children and adolescents in the Amazon.