Brazil’s Supreme Court Expands Women’s Protection Law Beyond Domestic Settings
In a landmark decision, Brazil’s Supreme Court has unanimously voted to broaden the reach of the country’s significant legislation aimed at protecting women from violence, extending its application beyond domestic environments.
Previously applicable primarily to domestic incidents, the Maria da Penha law, named after a Brazilian woman who became a symbol of the fight against domestic violence, will now encompass acts of aggression that occur in public spaces. This change also mandates that perpetrators face trial regardless of any familial or romantic ties with the victim.
The court’s decision saw all 10 justices in agreement to adapt the law for cases involving persecution, threats, and harassment occurring outside the home. This is expected to provide broader protection for women by addressing violent acts that extend beyond private settings.
The Brazilian government reports a significant increase in the issuance of urgent protective orders for women under the Maria da Penha law, with nearly 340,000 measures granted in the first half of 2026. This marks a 170% increase from the same timeframe in 2020, reflecting the growing need for expanded legal protections.
Justice Carmen Lúcia, the sole female justice present during the ruling, emphasized the persistent rise in violence against women in Brazil despite the existence of the 2006 law. She highlighted the necessity of updating the legislation to address power dynamics and the fact that many femicides occur outside the home, often ignored by authorities.
“In real life, judges reject (accusations against men) without justification, they say it is not urgent, they leave it for next Monday. Meanwhile, one of us dies,” stated Justice Carmen Lúcia. “With this ruling, this Supreme Court shows it is not blind or deaf to all of this happening against all of us women.”
