TARDEANDO CON UNINORTE FM ESTEREO · Uninorte FM

Brasileirices :: Ley Maria da Penha

March 12, 2026·29 min·2 clips

Maria da Penha survived being shot while sleeping and later electrocuted by her husband, yet her attacker remained free for nearly two decades.

The episode begins by presenting data on gender violence in Latin America, citing over 120 femicides in Colombia between January and April 2025 and high annual numbers in Brazil. It argues this is not isolated but a structural issue linked to gender inequalities and cultural tolerance. The story then shifts to Maria da Penha Maia Fernandes, a pharmacist from Ceará, Brazil. In 1983, her husband shot her while she slept, leaving her paraplegic, and later attempted to electrocute and drown her. The Brazilian judicial system failed to convict him for nearly two decades. Maria da Penha took her case to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, which found Brazil negligent. This international pressure led to a political and legislative process. In 2006, Brazil enacted the Maria da Penha Law. The law not only toughened penalties but also established protective measures like restraining orders and specialized courts. A key contribution was conceptually defining five forms of violence: physical, psychological, sexual, patrimonial, and moral. The episode explains that recognizing these forms helps understand that violence often starts with control or humiliation, not just physical blows. It includes musical interludes with songs like '100% Feminista' by MC Carol and 'Maria da Penha' by Juraíldis da Cruz. The discussion frames gender violence as connected to structural racism, social inequality, and exclusion. It concludes that the law is a symbol of resistance and that combating violence against women is a basic condition for democracy, as there can be no justice where fear is routine. The episode ends with promotional details for the show and a closing song by Alcione.

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