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Brazil's Maria da Penha Law Marks 20 Years Amid Rising Femicide Rates

The Maria da Penha Law, Brazil's main legislation against domestic and gender‑based violence, celebrated its 20th anniversary on 7 August 2026. In the first half of 2026 the law enabled a record 337 000 protective measures, yet femicide deaths rose to 732 cases – an average of four women killed per day.

The milestone prompted a nationwide wave of awareness actions under the "Agosto Lilás" campaign. Initiatives included a women‑only metro carriage in Salvador, mobile protection units in Araçatuba and Guarujá, mutirões offering legal and health services in Guarujá and other cities, and public walks organized by the OAB in Teixeira de Freitas. A Senate debate on 6 August highlighted the law's achievements and the recent inclusion of "violência vicária" (vicarious violence) as a new category of abuse.

Enforcement of the law was underscored by a court ruling in Araguaína that sentenced a man to 3 years 4 months 4 days in prison and ordered R$6 000 in damages for breaching a protective order by publicly exposing his ex‑partner online and on television.

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Agosto Lilás campaign · Araguaína · Araçatuba · Araçatuba municipality · Bahia State Government · Brazil · Brazilian Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights · Brazilian Senate · Caraguatatuba · Flávia Rodrigues · Gabrielle Tatih Pereira · Guarujá municipality

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