Brazil presidential candidates address rising femicide rates

Brazilian presidential candidates are increasingly addressing public safety and violence against women as they present their initial proposals. This shift follows data indicating that 92% of Brazilians believe women face higher risks of violence than men.

Statistics show a rise in femicide rates in Brazil; in 2025, 1,571 deaths were recorded, up from 1,504 in 2024. Furthermore, the National Council of Justice reported that an average of 42 femicide cases were judged daily in 2025, representing a 17% increase over the previous year.

Incumbent President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has emphasized the need for cultural change to combat gender-based violence. In contrast, candidates such as Romeu Zema and Renan Santos have not focused on specific women-related platforms in their recent conventions, despite previous stances on toughening penalties for aggressors.