Brazil marks 20th anniversary of Lei Maria da Penha with nationwide Agosto Lilás campaigns
The Lei Maria da Penha, Brazil's landmark law against domestic violence, was sanctioned on 7 August 2006 and reaches its 20th anniversary in 2026. To commemorate the milestone, the national "Agosto Lilás" campaign has been rolled out across the country, linking awareness, prevention and support for women. A survey by the Instituto Patrícia Galvão found that 91 % of women want expanded assistance, 54 % have experienced some form of partner violence and 11 % of men admit committing aggression. Local governments have launched a range of actions: the Bahia state government introduced a women‑only metro carriage in Salvador; municipalities such as Poços de Caldas, Timóteo, Caraguatatuba, Ubá and Ubatã organized runs, forums, self‑defence courses and new women’s coordinators; the Ipojuca city released a guide for the Patrulha Maria da Penha; and the Ministry of Public Security deployed "Alerta Lilás" outreach at transport terminals. A newly published book, "Trabalho dos Homens: Como Interromper Ciclos de Violência" by Paul Kivel, with a preface by Maria da Penha, calls for involving men in violence‑prevention efforts, echoing the law’s educational provisions. Together, these initiatives aim to strengthen protection networks, expand services such as shelters and hotlines, and promote cultural change to reduce gender‑based violence.
Entities: Agosto Lilás campaign · Brazilian Ministry of Women, Family and Human Rights · Caraguatatuba · Flávia Rodrigues · Instituto Brasil Igualdade Social · Jiu‑jitsu instructors · Konrad Cesar Resende · Lei Maria da Penha · Maria da Penha Law · Maria da Penha Maia Fernandes · Ministério Público do Tocantins · Palmas
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 2 SOURCES] 2026 marks the 20th anniversary of the Lei Maria da Penha. (multiple articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The survey indicated that 11 % of men admit having committed aggression against women. (survey)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The book 'Trabalho dos Homens: Como Interromper Ciclos de Violência' by Paul Kivel, prefaced by Maria da Penha, promotes involving men in violence‑prevention efforts. (publication)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Poços de Caldas municipality organized a night‑run event for women during Agosto Lilás. (municipal_event)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Bahia state government launched a women‑only metro carriage in Salvador as part of the Agosto Lilás campaign. (government_action)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The same survey reported that 54 % of women have experienced some form of partner violence. (survey)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] A survey by Instituto Patrícia Galvão found that 91 % of women want expanded assistance for victims of violence. (survey)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Lei Maria da Penha was sanctioned on 7 August 2006. (multiple articles)