Brazil expands awareness of universal signal for women in danger

Authorities in Brazil are intensifying efforts to promote the ‘Signal for Help,’ a discreet hand gesture designed to allow women experiencing violence to request assistance without alerting an aggressor. The gesture involves placing the palm facing outward, tucking the thumb into the center of the hand, and folding the fingers over it.

In the state of São Paulo, the ‘Não se Cale’ (Don’t Be Silent) protocol, coordinated by the Secretariat for Women’s Policies, has trained over 139,000 people. This initiative instructs commercial establishments—such as bars, restaurants, and nightclubs—on how to recognize risk situations and provide safe, humanized support to victims.

In Londrina, the Municipal Council for Women’s Rights and the Municipal Secretariat for Women’s Policy are also expanding the campaign. They are distributing informative materials, including social media content and posters, to ensure the signal is recognized citywide. The movement aims to strengthen local protection networks and empower professionals to identify and respond to silent cries for help.