ВойтиBrazilian laws on violence against women drive long-term social change
Janaína Penalva, a professor at the University of Brasília (UnB) Law School, notes that, however, it is still too early to assess the impact of these laws on society.
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Penalva points out that the Maria da Penha Law has been in effect for 20 years and the Femicide Law for ten. As a result, she says, the effects of this legislation on society will take time to be felt.
Researcher Valeska Zanello believes that the real transformation of society brought about by these laws will take another 30 to 50 years.
Cross-cultural studies show that it takes at least three generations for emotional patterns to change. This is therefore a major challenge for our generation and for those to come.
The legal framework for protecting women has advanced with the enactment of new regulations. Signed into law this month, the new law establishes electronic monitoring of the abuser as an emergency protective measure when there is a current or imminent risk to the life or physical, or psychological, well-being of a woman in a situation of domestic and family violence. In addition, the victim may use a safety device that alerts her to the abuser’s approach.
Another law passed this year criminalizes vicarious homicide, defined as the murder of children and other relatives as a means of punishing or causing suffering to women. The legislation provides for a sentence of 20 to 40 years in a closed prison regime for cases of vicarious violence.
The sentence may be increased by one-third to one-half if the crime is committed in the presence of the woman whom the perpetrator intends to punish, cause suffering to, or control; against a child, adolescent, elderly person, or person with a disability; or in violation of an emergency protective order.
Meanwhile, laws such as the Brazilian Internet Framework, the Carolina Dieckmann Law, and the law criminalizing stalking (persistent physical or virtual harassment) help combat digital violence.
Women’s movement
According to psychologist Flávio Urra, who works on the rehabilitation of perpetrators of violence, it was the women’s movement that pushed for stricter legislation.
“So, changes in theory and behavior. It was the women’s movement, along with a few men who joined and fought alongside women in this struggle.”
In recent years, reports of violence have also increased. In 2025, from January to October, the 180 hotline received over 155,000 reports of violence against women, most of them filed by the victims themselves.
Flávio Urra believes that women today are less tolerant of sexist attitudes. “Many men are reported because of this. And since this change has not reached them, they do not believe that what they did is a crime.”
Business consultant Felipe Requião works to engage men in promoting gender equity and preventing violence against women. In his view, despite the recognized legal framework, acts of violence are still culturally minimized, as is men’s accountability.
“There are still many discourses that legitimize violence in many Fields - in politics, in education, within organizations, and especially in the social sphere.”
According to Requião, there is a lack of effective preventive measures that can break the cycle of violence.
“So, if there is a cycle, it is because it is continuous. And if we focused on prevention, that cycle would be broken at the first reports of violent acts. We only take action after the violence has already occurred. It is no wonder that women’s advocacy organizations widely publicize the cycle of violence,” says Requião.
For him, this is not a problem of a lack of laws, but rather a situation that requires cultural transformation.
Male engagement
Journalist and researcher on masculinities Ismael dos Anjos believes that men need to get involved and fight for change. According to him, there are limits - including legal ones - that hinder men’s role in caring for children, for example.
As a representative for CoPai - a coalition of individuals, companies, and collectives that advocate for the regulation of extended, paid, and mandatory paternity leave - the journalist cites the gradual increase in paternity leave from five days to 20 days by the end of this decade. The extension is provided for in a law enacted at the end of March this year. Although he considers the increase a victory, Ismael dos Anjos says that 20 days are still not enough for a father to care for a newborn child.
He believes that cultural, economic, and institutional structures will only change when men do their part in the micro-policies of behavioral change. “Baby changing tables will only appear in men’s restrooms when enough men ask, ‘Where can I change my child’s diaper?’”
For psychologist Alexandre Coimbra Amaral, beyond a justice system that holds people accountable, prosecutes, tries, and sentences offenders, there is also a need for more transformative public policies.
“Public policy means investing public funds in health promotion and prevention, in the development of educational practices, in the messages that are conveyed, and in training health and education professionals who are in contact with these boys on how to have constructive conversations on this issue,” Amaral reiterates.
In 2025, 19 laws on social protection for women were enacted. In addition, several other bills on the subject are currently pending in Congress. One of them equates misogyny with crimes of discrimination, such as racism, making acts of hate against women non-bailable and not subject to the statute of limitations.
*Luciene Cruz contributed to this report
