Brazil Approves Law Strengthening Protection for Women

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Brazil Increases Penalties for Violence ⁢Against Women and Children

Brazil has recently enacted legislation increasing sentences ⁤for⁢ several violent crimes against ‍women and children. Key changes include:

* Child Rape: The⁣ maximum sentance for raping a child under 14 has been increased from 15 to 18 years.If the rape results in death, the sentence is now 20-40 years (previously 12-30 years).
* ⁢ Femicide: A law passed in ⁢October 2024 mandates⁤ a minimum sentence of 20 years for ⁣those convicted of femicide (the killing of ⁢a woman due to ⁤her ⁣gender).
* Rising Violence: The legislation comes amid a backdrop of increasing violence ⁤against women in Brazil. More than one in three ⁣women experience sexual or gender-based violence annually, the highest rate since records began in ⁢2017.‍ Femicide rates are also at a⁣ record high, with 1,492 cases in 2023.

Context &‍ Reactions:

* the bill was authored by former Senator Margareth Buzetti and approved by the Senate in November.
* Recent, highly⁣ publicized cases of extreme violence ⁢against women (including a woman⁤ dragged by a car, a teacher⁤ murdered, and a woman severely beaten in an elevator) spurred protests and public pressure.
* Rachel Ripani, an organizer of protests in 90 Brazilian cities, welcomed the law⁣ but emphasized the ⁣need for continued⁢ public pressure to ensure its effective implementation.
* brazil passed a law recognizing femicide as ⁢a specific crime in 2015.