Brazil Advances Protection for Women Victims of Violence with New Commission and Supreme Court Ruling
Brazil reinforces support for women victims of violence with a new parliamentary commission and an STF ruling guaranteeing social security benefits during recovery.
- • Permanent Mixed Commission to Combat Violence Against Women established with Luizianne Lins as president.
- • STF unanimously confirms social security benefits for women victims needing leave from work.
- • Victims can keep jobs for six months while recovering from domestic violence.
- • Employers pay first 15 days of salary; INSS covers remaining leave period for insured women.
- • Federal courts can recover social security costs from aggressors.
Key details
Brazil has taken significant steps in 2025 to enhance institutional and legal support for women victims of violence. On December 17, a Permanent Mixed Commission for Combating Violence Against Women was formally established within the National Congress. This commission is tasked with monitoring, overseeing, and proposing measures to tackle violence against women. Deputy Luizianne Lins (PT-CE) was elected president, and Senator Teresa Leitão (PT-PE) as vice-president, both by acclamation. Lins highlighted the commission's qualified team and expressed determination, stating, "We have a highly qualified team. The next year will be one of much work and good battles that we will fight."
In parallel, Brazil’s Supreme Federal Court (STF) issued a unanimous ruling on October 16 confirming that women victims of domestic violence are entitled to social security benefits when needing leave from work for recovery. This ruling validates provisions in the Maria da Penha Law that allow victims to maintain employment for up to six months during recuperation. For insured women under the General Social Security Regime, employers pay the first 15 days of salary during leave, with the Instituto Nacional do Seguro Social (INSS) covering the remainder. Women insured but without an employment relationship will receive full benefits from the INSS, while those not insured and with no income qualify for the Benefício de Prestação Continuada (BPC).
The STF mandated that criminal judges issuing protective measures must request these benefits on behalf of victims. Additionally, federal courts will oversee actions to recover social security costs from aggressors. This decision reinforces the State's responsibility in protecting victims and ensuring access to support during vulnerable periods.
Together, these developments mark a robust advancement in Brazil’s efforts to institutionalize protections and support systems for women suffering violence, combining legislative oversight with judicial enforcement of social rights.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
