Brazil marks 20 years of Maria da Penha Law amid rising violence

Maria da Penha Law violence against women Agosto Lilás protective measures femicide

Brazil is marking the 20th anniversary of the Maria da Penha Law, a landmark piece of legislation designed to combat domestic and gender-based violence. While the law has established critical protection mechanisms, recent data highlights ongoing challenges. In 2025, Brazil recorded 1,568 femicide victims, a 4.7% increase from the previous year. The judiciary has seen a surge in demand for protection, granting nearly 979,000 urgent protective measures in 2025, with over 337,000 granted in the first half of 2026 alone.

In a significant legal development, the Supreme Federal Court (STF) ruled unanimously that protective measures can be applied to gender-based violence even when it occurs outside of domestic or intimate relationships, such as in public spaces or between neighbors.

Local municipalities are responding through the 'Agosto Lilás' awareness campaign. In Penedo, Alagoas, the inauguration of the Specialized Center for Women's Assistance (NEAM) coincided with the appointment of Mariana Cardoso as the new Women's Police Delegate. In Nova Iguaçu, the CEAM center reported handling 147 cases in the first half of 2026. Other regional efforts include awareness seminars in Santa Luzia do Paruá and Mato Grosso, and the implementation of a 'Panic Button' system in Rio de Janeiro to monitor aggressors via electronic tracking.

Entities

Agosto Lilás · Alagoas · Amazonas · Brazil · Maria da Penha · Maria da Penha Law · Mariana Cardoso · Ministry of Public Affairs of Mato Grosso · Nova Iguaçu · Penedo · Ronaldo Lopes · Specialized Women's Care Center (NEAM)

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] The Maria da Penha Law reached its 20th anniversary in August 2026. vestibulares.estrategia.com · bahiaextremosul.com.br · marianakotscho.uol.com.br · mauaagora.com.br
[● 2 SOURCES] Mariana Cardoso has taken office as the Women's Police Delegate in Penedo, Alagoas. jornaldepenedo.com · aquiacontece.com.br
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Ronda Maria da Penha team in Amazonas is utilizing a speedboat to provide assistance to women in remote riverside communities. tvbrasil.ebc.com.br
[● 4 SOURCES] The Specialized Center for Women's Assistance (CEAM) in Nova Iguaçu handled 147 cases of violence against women during the first half of 2026. euvivoaselecao.com.br · novasdodia.com.br · revistavigor.com.br · zero83.com.br
[● 2 SOURCES] The Supreme Federal Court ruled that protective measures can apply to gender violence occurring outside domestic settings, such as in workplaces or public spaces. conjur.com.br · g37.com.br
[○ 1 SOURCE] The Brazilian judiciary granted nearly 979,000 urgent protective measures in 2025. bahiaextremosul.com.br
[○ 1 SOURCE] The municipality of Penedo inaugurated the Specialized Center for Women's Assistance (NEAM). jornaldepenedo.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] The municipality of Araucária created a Municipal Intersectoral Committee to combat violence against women. www.oreporterpr.com.br
[○ 1 SOURCE] In 2025, Brazil recorded 1,568 femicide victims. bahiaextremosul.com.br
[○ 1 SOURCE] In the first half of 2026, over 337,000 protective measures were granted in Brazil. bahiaextremosul.com.br