Demonstrators take part in a march against femicide following a series of high-profile cases in the country, in Sao Paulo, Sunday, Dec. 7, 2025.
Tens of thousands of women across Brazil took to the streets on Sunday, protesting gender-based violence after a series of brutal crimes shook the nation. Demonstrations spanned Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and several other cities, uniting women of all ages — and many men — in a nationwide call to end femicide, rape, and misogyny.
Grief Turns to Action After Shocking Killings
Many protesters carried photos, banners, and symbolic crosses, honoring victims whose stories have ignited national outrage. Among them was Alline de Souza Pedrotti, whose sister was murdered on November 28 in Rio by a male coworker who reportedly “didn’t accept having female bosses.”
Pedrotti stood on Copacabana’s boardwalk demanding justice.
“I’m devastated,” she said. “But I won’t stop fighting. We need stronger laws and better safety protocols.”
Her sister’s death is just one of several horrific crimes that triggered the protests.
High-Profile Cases Spark a Nationwide Outcry
Brazil was stunned when Taynara Souza Santos, 31, was run over and dragged for almost a kilometer by her ex-boyfriend in São Paulo. Her injuries were so severe that both of her legs had to be amputated. Video footage of the attack went viral, fueling public anger.
Another tragic case emerged from Florianópolis on November 21. English teacher Catarina Kasten was raped and strangled on a beach trail as she walked to a swimming lesson.
For many women, these cases were “the final straw.”
Voices Rise Against Gender-Based Violence
On São Paulo’s Paulista Avenue, protester Isabela Pontes said she marched because she had experienced abuse herself.
“I’m here to show our voice,” she said.
The urgency is backed by data. The Brazilian Forum on Public Safety reported in 2025 that more than one in three Brazilian women faced sexual or gender-based violence in a single year — the highest figure since tracking began in 2017.
Femicide on the Rise in Brazil
Brazil legally recognized femicide a decade ago, defining it as the killing of a woman because of her gender or within a domestic setting. Yet, despite the law, numbers keep rising.
In 2024 alone, 1,492 women were victims of femicide, the highest since the law was enacted in 2015.
“We’re seeing not only more cases but also greater cruelty,” said Juliana Martins, gender-violence expert at the Brazilian Forum on Public Safety.
Martins added that more women are speaking out, but this visibility has led to backlash.
“Social change toward equality often provokes violent attempts to reinforce women’s subordination,” she explained.
Symbolic Protest: Black Crosses and Green Scarves
In Rio, demonstrators placed dozens of black crosses along sidewalks, symbolizing lives lost to gender-based violence. Many wore green scarves, representing the fight for reproductive rights.
Some carried stickers declaring “machismo kills,” reflecting the cultural battle at the center of the movement.
Survivors Speak, Allies Step Forward
The march also drew survivors.
“I almost died, but I didn’t,” said Evelyn Lucy da Luz, a 44-year-old educator who survived an attempted femicide a decade ago.
Others pointed to political shifts that worsened the problem.
Former architect Lizete de Paula, 79, said misogynistic attitudes intensified during former President Jair Bolsonaro’s term, when policies protecting women were dismantled.
“Women are entering new spaces, and some men can’t stand it,” she said.
Men also marched to show support.
Father of three João Pedro Cordão said men must help dismantle misogyny every day.
“Only then can we reduce violence against women,” he said.
A Movement Demanding Change
Sunday’s nationwide protests marked one of Brazil’s largest mobilizations against gender-based violence in recent years. With femicide numbers at record highs and recent cases sparking widespread outrage, demonstrators say they will continue to push for legal reforms, stronger protections, and cultural change.
The message across Brazil was unmistakable:
The violence must end — and the country must act now.
