Ten years of Maria da Penha Law: advancements and shortcomings in confronting gender based violence against women in Brazil

Abstract

This article was originally written as a background paper to UN-Women, with purpose of looking at some of the issues raised by feminist activists and scholars regarding means to confront Violence Against Women in Brazil. More specifically, the paper will bring together information regarding both the advancements as well as the shortcomings of the implementation of Lei Maria da Penha (Maria da Penha Law), a comprehensive domestic violence legislation package, in order to formulate recommendations for a more effective confrontation of Violence Against Women, both in Brazil and abroad.