Brazilian leaders call for life imprisonment and male engagement to curb gender violence

Deputy Janaina Riva (MDB) of Mato Grosso used the opening of the Municipal Women’s Prosecutor’s Office in Porto dos Gaúchos to demand life imprisonment for feminicides and pedophiles. She argued that harsher penalties alone are insufficient and called for stronger protective networks, more police officers, and preventive education in schools and communities. Riva highlighted that over 23,500 women filed domestic‑violence reports and 9,000 requested protective measures this year, while 89 children were left orphaned after feminicide cases.

In Porto Alegre, councilwoman Vera Armando (PP) convened a panel of police, judicial and prosecutorial officials to discuss the role of men in preventing violence against women. The participants promoted programs that turn men into “multipliers” of respect and responsibility, including gender‑reflection groups for men involved in domestic‑violence cases. Armando emphasized that “men need to become protagonists of prevention.” Both events illustrate a growing political push in Brazil to combine stricter penalties with broader societal involvement to combat gender‑based violence.