Women's social and healthcare services in Cuiabá

In Cuiabá, municipal efforts regarding women's welfare have shown a contrast between proactive social programming and declining specialized medical services.

The Municipal Women's Secretariat recently hosted a leadership and mental health event in the Pedra 90 neighborhood. The initiative focused on emotional intelligence and personal development, offering free services such as psychological support, entrepreneurship training, and self-defense through the ‘Lutadoras’ project to promote autonomy.

However, local officials have raised concerns regarding the availability of specialized care for women victims of violence. Councilwoman Maysa Leão reported a decline in services at the Hospital Municipal de Cuiabá (HMC) and criticized the closure of four ‘Salas Lilás’ (Lilac Rooms) in Urgent Care Units (UPAs) under the current administration. Leão noted that these closures have impacted the capacity to serve hundreds of women in a state facing high rates of sexual violence and femicide, calling for the restoration of dignified and secure care.