# Maternity rights and support for female athletes

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/maternity-rights-and-support-for-female-athletes
> Updated: 2026-10-21T23:06:46.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Former Olympic race walker Ana Cabecinha has publicly denounced the loss of sponsorships during her pregnancies, describing a systemic issue in Portugal where female athletes face a choice between motherhood and professional careers. Cabecinha reported that sponsors withdrew support in 2021 and 2024 due to her inactivity during pregnancy, despite her continued training for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

In response to such challenges, legal and social frameworks are evolving. In Portugal, Law No. 13/2024, initiated by the Socialist Party, aims to provide complementary financial subsidies for athlete mothers. These measures seek to protect sporting status, ensure financial stability during recovery, and recognize maternity periods as useful career time through individualized support. Additionally, in Brazil, Law No. 13.872/2019 provides breastfeeding rights for mothers during public service examinations.

## Claims

- Law No. 13.872/2019 grants breastfeeding rights to mothers with children up to six months old during Brazilian public exams. (single source)
- Mothers in Brazilian public exams can take up to 30-minute breaks every two hours for breastfeeding. (single source)
- Law No. 13/2024 in Portugal provides complementary financial subsidies for athlete mothers. (single source)
- The Socialist Party in Portugal contributed to gender equality in sports through a working group. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-21: Maternity rights and support in professional and athletic sectors

New legal protections and social discussions focus on supporting mothers in public service exams in Brazil and protecting the professional careers of female athletes in Portugal.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/maternity-rights-and-support-in-professional-and-athletic-sectors

### 2026-10-11: Ana Cabecinha denounces loss of sponsorships during pregnancies

Former Olympic athlete Ana Cabecinha has denounced the loss of sponsorships during her pregnancies, calling for better protection for female athletes facing maternity discrimination in Portugal.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ana-cabecinha-denounces-loss-of-sponsorships-during-pregnancies

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Cite as: Maternity rights and support for female athletes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/maternity-rights-and-support-for-female-athletes