Brazil Marks 20 Years of Maria da Penha Law with Gender Violence Awareness Events
On the 20th anniversary of the Maria da Penha Law, Brazil hosts public events and campaigns under Agosto Lilás to raise awareness about gender-based violence and feminicides.
- • The 20th anniversary of the Maria da Penha Law is marked by a public debate at Ufal on August 17.
- • The Agosto Lilás campaign seeks to promote awareness and discussions on domestic violence against women.
- • Statistics for 2026 show 1,571 feminicides in Brazil, with majority of aggressors being intimate partners.
- • Events include film screenings, panel discussions, and participation from advocacy groups like Marcha Mundial das Mulheres.
Key details
As Brazil commemorates the 20th anniversary of the Maria da Penha Law, the Pró-reitoria de Gestão de Pessoas e do Trabalho (Progep) at the Federal University of Alagoas (Ufal) is spearheading discussions on the ongoing challenges and progress in combating gender-based violence. A conversation titled “20 years of the Maria da Penha Law: if much has been done, more is what will be,” is scheduled for August 17 at 9 AM at Ufal's Campus A.C. Simões in Maceió. This event is part of the larger Agosto Lilás campaign, focused on raising awareness about domestic violence against women. The campaign marks two decades of the landmark law, honoring its role in protecting women and promoting gender equity.
The event will be led by Professor Andréa Pacheco of the Faculty of Social Work and will include participation from the Maria da Penha patrol and the Coletivo Marcha Mundial das Mulheres de Alagoas. In the afternoon, the CineMarcha event will showcase the short film 'Ana Parideira,' followed by a discussion moderated by representatives of the Marcha Mundial das Mulheres and film director Juliana Barreto alongside Professor Nádia Meinerz from Ufal's Institute of Social Sciences.
According to statistics highlighted at the event, Brazil has recorded 1,571 feminicides in 2026 alone, with 60.9% of aggressors being intimate partners, underscoring the urgent need for continued public education and interventions to break cycles of violence. The Agosto Lilás campaign—initiated in 2006—serves as a crucial platform to promote dialogues on gender equity and respect, aiming to foster collective responsibility in combating domestic violence.
The events are free and open to the public, encouraging broad community engagement to reflect on both progress and the persistent gaps in ensuring women's safety in Brazil. Participants seeking certification are invited to register online.
These ongoing efforts illustrate Brazil’s commitment to raising awareness about gender-based violence and highlight the importance of sustained legal, social, and cultural campaigns like Agosto Lilás to combat this pressing issue.
This article was translated and synthesized from Brazilian sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
