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Tens of thousands of Brazilian women took to the streets across major cities Sunday to protest escalating gender-based violence, responding to a record number of femicides and several recent high-profile cases that have stunned the nation.
The demonstrations in Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and other urban centers brought together women of all ages, along with male allies, unified in their calls to end femicide, rape, and misogyny in a country experiencing alarming rates of violence against women.
Among the protesters was Alline de Souza Pedrotti, whose sister, an administrative worker at a Rio de Janeiro school, was murdered on November 28 by a male colleague who reportedly couldn’t accept having female supervisors. “I’m devastated,” Pedrotti told The Associated Press during the Copacabana boardwalk demonstration. “But I’m fighting through the pain and I won’t stop. I want changes in the legislation and new protocols to prevent this kind of crime from happening again.”
The protest follows several brutal attacks that have captured national attention. In São Paulo, 31-year-old Taynara Souza Santos was deliberately run over by her ex-boyfriend and dragged for a kilometer, resulting in injuries so severe that both her legs required amputation. Just a week earlier, English teacher Catarina Kasten was raped and strangled to death on a beach trail in Florianópolis while heading to a swimming lesson.
“These recent cases were the final straw,” said Isabela Pontes, who joined the demonstration on São Paulo’s Paulista Avenue. “I have suffered many forms of abuses, and today I am here to show our voice.”
Brazil is grappling with a devastating epidemic of gender-based violence. According to the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety, more than one in three women in the country experienced sexual or gender-based violence over the past year, the highest figure since record-keeping began in 2017.
The statistics on femicide are equally disturbing. Last year, 1,492 women were killed in gender-motivated homicides, the highest number since Brazil recognized femicide as a specific crime in 2015. The legislation defines femicide as the killing of a woman in domestic settings or resulting from contempt or hatred toward women.
“We’re seeing an increase in numbers but also in the intensity and cruelty of violence,” explained Juliana Martins, an expert in gender-based violence and institutional relations manager at the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety. She attributes part of this backlash to women’s increased visibility in public spheres and their greater willingness to speak out against abuse.
“Social transformations seeking equality of rights and representation generate violent responses aimed at reaffirming women’s subordination,” Martins noted.
Sunday’s demonstrations featured powerful visual statements. In Rio, protesters placed dozens of black crosses on the ground to represent victims, while many demonstrators wore stickers with messages such as “machismo kills” and displayed green scarves associated with reproductive rights activism.
For many participants, the protests were deeply personal. Evelyn Lucy da Luz, a 44-year-old children’s educator, shared that she had survived an attempted femicide a decade ago. “I almost died, but I didn’t,” she said, her presence at the rally a testament to her survival and continued resistance.
Some protesters connected the surge in violence to Brazil’s recent political climate. Lizete de Paula, a 79-year-old former architect, suggested that men who harbor misogynistic attitudes felt emboldened during former President Jair Bolsonaro’s administration, which dismantled numerous policies designed to strengthen women’s rights.
“Women are increasingly entering new spaces and macho men can’t stand this,” de Paula observed.
The demonstrations also highlighted the crucial role of male allies in combating gender-based violence. João Pedro Cordão, a 45-year-old father of three daughters, emphasized that men must take responsibility by confronting misogyny not only at protests but in everyday interactions.
“Only then will we be able to put an end to—or at least reduce—the current violence against women,” he said, underscoring that addressing Brazil’s femicide crisis requires a collective societal response that includes men taking active roles as allies.
As Brazil confronts this national emergency, protesters made clear that ending the epidemic of gender-based violence will require comprehensive legislative reform, cultural change, and the sustained commitment of the entire society.
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7 Comments
This is a horrific situation. Gender-based violence is an epidemic that needs urgent action. I’m glad to see these courageous women taking to the streets to demand change and accountability. Stronger laws and protections for women are clearly needed in Brazil.
Absolutely. The stories of the victims are heartbreaking. It’s critical that the government takes meaningful steps to address this crisis and prevent such tragedies from happening again.
Gender-based violence is a global issue, but the situation in Brazil is particularly dire. These protests highlight the need for greater investment in women’s safety, support services, and access to justice. I hope the government heeds the protesters’ calls for change.
It’s encouraging to see so many Brazilians, both women and men, coming together to speak out against this epidemic of violence. Misogyny and toxic masculinity have no place in a just society. I hope these protests spur meaningful legislative and cultural reforms.
The stories of the victims are absolutely heartbreaking. No one should have to live in fear of such senseless violence. I commend the protesters for their bravery and for keeping this critical issue in the public eye. Real change will require sustained pressure and accountability.
This is a complex and sensitive issue. While I appreciate the protesters’ passion, I hope the government responds with thoughtful, evidence-based policies rather than knee-jerk reactions. Reducing gender violence will require addressing underlying social and cultural factors.
That’s a fair point. Sustainable change will require a multi-faceted approach targeting education, law enforcement, and gender equality. It’s a long-term challenge, but the protesters are right to demand urgent action.