New government plan targets violence against women

Brazil’s Ministry of Women on Tuesday (Mar. 19) launched the Action Plan of the National Pact for the Prevention of Femicides. The efforts are part of the celebrations for women’s month of March in the fight against misogyny and the promotion of equality.

The move aims to prevent violent deaths of women due to gender issues and also to guarantee access to justice for all women in situations of violence as well as their families.

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During the launch ceremony, Minister for Women Cida Gonçalves said that women have suffered the most from the fascism established in Brazil in recent years. “Our bodies, our lives, and our achievements have been thrown [away]. Building homes for [affordable housing program] Minha Casa Minha Vida is easier than building customs, values, attitudes, hope, and dignity. That’s why it’s much more difficult. While we do this, they continue to preach hatred and violence.”

Under the coordination of the Ministry for Women, the plan will involve the office of the president’s chief of staff as well as nine ministries.

Minister for Racial Equality Anielle Franco said the elimination of femicide must be a goal for everyone, as must the reversal of all forms of violence against women and girls in the country, adding it is necessary to understand the impact of racism. “Policies must adopt a specific focus for a range of different realities. Gender and race guidelines must permeate all actions,” she argued.

The efforts are part of the celebrations for women’s month of March in the fight against misogyny and the promotion of equality – Fabio Rodrigues-Pozzebom/ Agência Brasil

Pillars

The initiative will have BRL 2.5 billion in resources to develop 73 measures divided into two pillars: structuring and cross-sectional. The first, in turn, comprises primary, secondary, and tertiary strategies.

Primary efforts aim to prevent violence by shifting beliefs and behaviors in order to eliminate stereotypes and promote respect and non-tolerance of discrimination by training women community leaders and holding workshops where women’s testimonies are heard.

Secondary strategies include early intervention with financial support for temporary shelters.

In the third stage of the preventive phase, the objective is to reduce the effects of violence and enforce rights such as health care, education, security, justice, and employment.

The cross-sectional pillar is divided into the production of data—including more case reports—research and diagnoses, and new regulations.