# Quilombola rights and leadership in Brazil > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/quilombola-rights-and-leadership-in-brazil > Updated: 2026-08-27T00:00:00.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2. Quilombola communities in Brazil are engaging in diverse efforts to protect their rights, culture, and leadership. In Brasília, the Women’s Collective of the National Coordination of Articulation of Black Rural Quilombola Communities (CONAQ) presented the ‘Cafuné’ emergency protection and self-care plan to several federal ministries. This initiative seeks to address violence against leaders, such as the 2023 assassination of Maria Bernadete Pacífico, by proposing collective self-defense, mental health support, and land regularization. Simultaneously, cultural and educational movements are highlighting the historical and contemporary significance of these communities. An exhibition in Rio de Janeiro, ‘Lideranças Quilombolas do Rio de Janeiro: História e Resistência’, showcases the roles of both historical and modern quilombola women. This cultural recognition is accompanied by long-standing efforts for educational autonomy, where communities have fought for specialized curricula centered on ancestral history to replace those controlled by local landowners. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-27: Quilombola leadership and rights highlighted in Brazil Exhibitions in Rio de Janeiro and educational movements in Brazil are highlighting the history, leadership, and ongoing struggle for rights and cultural identity within quilombola communities. 8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/quilombola-leadership-and-rights-highlighted-in-brazil ### 2026-08-14: Quilombola women leaders present protection plan in Brasília Quilombola women leaders in Brazil have presented the ‘Cafuné’ emergency protection plan to federal ministries following the 2023 assassination of leader Maria Bernadete Pacífico. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/quilombola-women-leaders-present-protection-plan-in-braslia --- Cite as: Quilombola rights and leadership in Brazil. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/quilombola-rights-and-leadership-in-brazil