CEPIA in Action | Inside everything that happened
CEPIA TAKES TO THE STREETS OF SÃO PAULO WITH CAMPAIGN FOR ABORTION RIGHTS DURING WOMEN’S HEALTH WEEK
According to the 1940 Penal Code, a husband could annul a marriage if he discovered that his wife was not a virgin. While such a notion would be considered absurd today, the same 1940 Penal Code still criminalizes women who terminate a pregnancy. This contradiction illustrates how outdated laws continue to shape the current debate on abortion in Brazil. It was from this reflection that CEPIA launched a powerful mobilization in São Paulo.
During the week of May 28th – International Day of Action for Women’s Health and National Day for the Reduction of Maternal Mortality – artistic interventions occupied Avenida Paulista over two days. One particularly striking and symbolic action featured a wedding dress discarded in a trash bin. This urban performance aimed to spark reflection on the historical control of women’s bodies and the urgent need to decriminalize abortion in Brazil, drawing attention from passersby and initiating dialogue with the public.
The action gained widespread visibility, particularly through nighttime projections on buildings around the city, which displayed powerful phrases about reproductive rights.
In addition to the performance and projections, the campaign also included large posters in newsstands, expanding the reach of its message and encouraging debate on bodily autonomy and reproductive justice. The mobilization was highlighted in the media, including in an article by Revista Fórum, which emphasized the dangers of unsafe abortion in Brazil, and in a special report by TVT.
📺 Watch a clip of the action on TVT:
ADVOCACY IN BRASILIA BY THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT MAKE UP THE CHILD IS NOT A MOTHER CAMPAIGN
Between May 19th and 23rd, the organizations that make up the Children Are Not Mothers campaign were in Brasilia to lobby parliamentarians and representatives of the Executive. The main objective was to express support for Resolution 258/2024, recently approved by the National Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents (Conanda).
The regulation establishes guidelines for the care of children and adolescents who are victims of sexual violence, with an emphasis on guaranteeing reproductive rights, including access to legal abortion. For the organizations, the Resolution represents an important step forward in the face of historical barriers that hinder girls' access to adequate reproductive health services throughout the country.
In addition to supporting the Resolution, the group also called for the repeal of Law No. 12.318/2010, known as the Parental Alienation Law. According to the activists, the legislation has been widely used to discredit reports of child sexual abuse, putting the safety and well-being of children and adolescents at risk.
The Children Are Not Mothers campaign brings together various civil society organizations committed to the comprehensive protection of girls and the guarantee of their rights, especially in the context of sexual violence and forced pregnancy in childhood.
More details of this incidence can be found in the full article in Portal Catarinas, by journalist Kelly Ribeiro.
*Organizations that are part of the Criança Não é Mãe (Child is Not a Mother) Campaign - Anis - Instituto de Bioética (Bioethics Institute); Nem Presa Nem Morta (Neither Arrested nor Dead) Campaign; Católicas pelo Direito de Decidir (Catholics for the Right to Decide); CEPIA; Centro Feminista de Estudos e Assessoria - CFEMEA (Feminist Center for Studies and Advice, Study, Research, Information and Action); Cladem Brasil; Coletivo Feminista Sexualidade e Saúde (Feminist Sexuality and Health Collective); Criola; Grupo Curumim (Curumim Group); Rede de Desenvolvimento Humano (Human Development Network) and Rede Feminista de Saúde (Feminist Health Network).
FIGHT FOR WOMEN'S EQUALITY IN THE WORLD OF WORK
On World Labor Day, Mara Régia, on her radio program Viva Maria, interviewed Jacqueline Pitanguy about women and the labor market. Jacqueline recalls a survey for the ILO in which she participated, in the 1970s, about the inequalities imposed on women in the labor market. The survey highlighted the secondary position of women in terms of salary and also in terms of position in professional occupation. It also highlighted the situation of rural workers who appeared in the census as domestic workers and not as workers, despite dedicating 8 hours a day to rural labor activities.
WORKSHOP BRINGS WOMEN TOGETHER TO REFLECT ON CARE AS WORK AND VALUE
On May 7, CEPIA, through the Women in Movement project, with the support of the Ministry of Women and in partnership with the Union of Domestic Workers of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, held the workshop Who cares for the caregivers? – Caring is work, and work has value. The event took place at the union headquarters, in Rio Comprido, and brought together women from different backgrounds for a meaningful conversation about the value of care, the rights of caregivers, and the everyday challenges they face.
Through active listening, mutual support, and rich exchanges, participants shared experiences and reflected on mental and emotional health, the importance of support networks, and the recognition of care as essential work. The diversity of the group enriched the discussion, highlighting how different life experiences connect around a common struggle.
MEETING OF BLOOMBERG PHILANTHROPIES PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
On May 7th, a virtual meeting of Bloomberg Philanthropies partners took place, bringing together organizations committed to promoting sexual and reproductive rights in different regions of the world. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Women's Equality Center (WEC), Rios, Fos Feminista, Amplify Change, Ahaki, MAMA, RAES, among other organizations, with CEPIA represented by Mariana Barsted.
The aim of the meeting was to strengthen the network of partnerships, promoting solidarity, dialogue and inter-regional collaboration. In a global context of increasing attacks on the sexual and reproductive rights of women and people who give birth, coordination between organizations has become even more essential to face the challenges posed by the current situation.
More than an institutional exchange, the meeting was a space for listening, sharing strategies and reinforcing the importance of collective and connected action, reaffirming the commitment to reproductive justice, gender equity and human rights.
SEMINAR AT EPM DISCUSSES INTERNATIONAL MECHANISMS FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS
On May 9th, the Paulista School of Magistrates held a seminar on international instruments and mechanisms for realizing women's human rights, as part of its Introduction to Human Rights, Domestic Violence, Gender and Racial Ethnic Relations for Education Professionals course, with lawyers Silvia Pimentel and Leila Linhares Barsted as speakers. The course, which was held in person, was also made available as an online module for education professionals.
MEETING: STRAIGHT TALK, MY VOICE, MY RIGHTS
CEPIA, in a joint initiative with FEPETI/RJ and other partner institutions, held the meeting Straight Talk: My Voice, My Rights, which brought together more than 70 adolescents at the Calouste Gulbenkian Arts Center on May 12th. The meeting, which marked the activities in allusion to May 18th - National Day to Combat Sexual Abuse and Exploitation of Children and Adolescents - featured 4 discussion groups that addressed the topics of Menstrual Dignity, Teenage Pregnancy, Sexual Diversity, and Sexual Abuse and Exploitation. In addition to the discussion groups, the meeting also promoted an opportunity for exchanges among the adolescents who shared the reflections and recommendations resulting from each discussion group. CEPIA was represented by Débora Pinheiro, who facilitated the discussion on teenage pregnancy, together with Andrea Romani, Gabriel Brandão, who was responsible for facilitating the discussion on sexual diversity, and Kézia Sampaio.
Some powerful messages that emerged from the meeting:
“Never support teenage pregnancy, but if a girl gets pregnant, ensure her rights.”
“Menstrual dignity is a right, not a privilege.”
“We cannot normalize abusive relationships.”
To learn more about the event, click here.
MESECVI AND THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN PREPARE FOR THE CONFERENCE ON THE 30 YEARS OF THE BELÉM DO PARÁ CONVENTION
MESECVI and the Ministry of Women held online meetings on May 2nd and 19th to organize the 10th Conference of States Parties in Brazil to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women (Belém do Pará Convention). Leila Linhares Barsted, a member of MESECVI's Committee of Experts, took part in these meetings.
VISIT OF AMERICAN STATE LEGISLATORS PROMOTED BY WEC
WEC, Women’s Equality Center, promoted the visit of American state legislators to Brazil, where they received information about the country’s context and reproductive rights.
On May 12, Jacqueline Pitanguy took part in a meeting with these legislators, during which she gave a presentation on the feminist movement and the struggles for women’s rights since the 1970s. Angela Freitas from Nem Presa Nem Morta and Denise Mascarenhas from Católicas pelo Direito de Decidir also participated in the event.
CIVIL CODE: MOVEMENTS IDENTIFY THREATS TO RIGHTS SUCH AS ABORTION AND THE RIGHT TO HERITAGE
On May 15th, the organizations that make up the Maria da Penha Law Consortium and various other feminist organizations began a series of meetings to analyze and debate, from a gender and intersectional perspective, the Draft Bill to reform the 2002 Civil Code. This legislative change was proposed by the Federal Senate, which created a committee of jurists that gave rise to Bill 4 of 2025. Leila Linhares Barsted took part in this meeting when numerous articles were identified that will have a retrograde effect on issues such as abortion and the right to inheritance, among others
LEI MARIA DA PENHA CONSORTIUM PROGRESSES IN BUILDING A GENERAL LAW ON GENDER VIOLENCE
The Maria da Penha Law Consortium, continuing its efforts to draft a General Law on gender violence against women, in dialogue with feminist movements, held another meeting on May 17th to compile the principles and guarantees that should be included in this General Law, as well as the suggestions sent in by various women's organizations. Leila Linhares Barsted, one of the drafters of this proposal, took part in the meeting.
RIO DE JANEIRO COURT OF JUSTICE HOLDS WORKING GROUP MEETING ON OBSTETRIC VIOLENCE AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
On May 19th, the State Coordination for Women in Situations of Domestic and Family Violence (COEM) of the Rio de Janeiro State Court of Justice held another meeting of its Working Group on Obstetric Violence, where the various violations of health and reproductive rights were presented and debated, as well as suggestions for public policies to guarantee and make these rights effective. Leila Linhares Barsted took part in this meeting as a member of the Working Group.
EMPOWER COLLABORATIVE NETWORK
This Collaborative Network brings together civil society organizations that work to defend the rights of adolescents and young people on different agendas. The first immersive meeting of 2025 was held from May 16th to 18th, with governance and fundraising as its central themes. The meeting, which took place in the town of Santana do Deserto, at the headquarters of the Onda Solidária organization, brought together representatives from several organizations that are part of the Network - Abraço Campeão, Instituto Cultura Urbana, Onda Solidária, Redes da Maré, Spectaculu, Um Rio, in addition to CEPIA, represented by Andrea Romani and Débora Pinheiro. The meeting promoted exchanges and strategies for joint action.
COURSE ON SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION
On May 20th, the Association of Guardianship Counselors of the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro (ACTMRJ) held an immersion course on sexual abuse and exploitation aimed at members of the comprehensive protection network for children and adolescents, especially guardianship counselors. Andrea Romani, as a member of the FEPETI/RJ collegiate coordination, was one of the speakers on the topic of sexual violence, reinforcing the importance of recognizing the multiple rights violations associated with sexual violence and the obstacles that make some children and adolescents more or less vulnerable to this violence.
FÒS FEMINIST ALLIANCE
On May 21st, the monthly meeting of the Fòs Feminist Alliance took place with the theme Sustainability strategies in times of right-wing advance and scarce resources. Some of the Latin American organizations that are part of the alliance shared experiences they have been developing to respond to these challenges. Andrea Romani attended the meeting.
EVENT FOR THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DO IT BONITO CAMPAIGN
The year 2025 marks the 25th anniversary of the National Campaign Faça Bonito (Do It Right) to combat sexual violence against children and adolescents. CEPIA, as a member of the FEPETI/RJ collegiate coordination, participated in the organization of an event that took place at the Brazilian Academy of Letters on May 28th, bringing together representatives from several cities in the state, including Marta Rocha, secretary of social assistance for Rio de Janeiro, civil society organizations, representatives of state agencies, and the presence of many adolescents. The program included a presentation by the hebiatrician Felipe Fortes on Adolescence, Screens and Social Networks and a presentation by adolescents representing the discussion groups on Teenage Pregnancy, Menstrual Dignity, Sexual Diversity and Sexual Violence held at an event that took place on May 12th, also in reference to the Faça Bonito and the Day to Combat Sexual Abuse and Exploitation. The participation of the adolescents was very powerful and took place through various forms of expression, including poster presentations, poetry, slams and exhibitions. Débora Pinheiro and Andrea Romani participated on behalf of CEPIA.
CNDM HOLDS PREPARATORY MEETING FOR V CNPM WITH NEW WOMEN'S MINISTER
The National Council for Women's Rights met on May 27th with the presence of the new Women's Minister, Ms. Marcia Lopes, to present the actions developed for the holding of municipal and state conferences and the V National Women's Conference in September 2025. The V CNPM will have a format that includes regional, state and municipal stages, as well as free conferences, so that women from all over the country can contribute their demands and proposals Leila Linhares Barsted took part in this meeting as an Emeritus Councillor of the CNDM.
20 YEARS OF ARGENTINIAN WOMEN'S STRUGGLE FOR THE RIGHT TO LEGAL, SAFE AND FREE ABORTION!
The National Campaign is celebrating two decades of defending the right of women and people with the capacity to conceive to access safe abortion. Throughout these years, the movement has faced setbacks and continues to denounce the Argentine government's attacks on the advances won with a lot of mobilization. The legalization of abortion, approved at the end of 2020, marked a historic victory for feminism in the country - and showed the strength of a collective struggle that is still more alive than ever. Watch the video:
CEPIA PARTICIPATES IN LATIN AMERICAN GROUP ON COMMUNICATION AND SEXUAL AND REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS
CEPIA, represented by Karla Oldane, is part of the working groups on communication and sexual and reproductive rights of the regional alliance On The Right Track, which periodically meets with organizations, collectives and activists from various Latin American countries. The aim is to strengthen communication advocacy against the advance of fundamentalism through inclusive narratives, joint strategies and solidarity alliances.
Since February, the group has been debating topics such as structural violence, coloniality, youth, diversity and emotional care. CEPIA actively contributes with the perspective of reproductive justice and with reflections on how to communicate beyond the circles that have already been convinced, recognizing the importance of understanding resistance and listening with empathy. The expectation is that the process will result, by the end of 2025, in collective communication products that amplify Latin American voices in defense of sexual and reproductive rights.
WOMEN'S HEALTH AND AGING ARE THE SUBJECT OF A PUBLIC HEARING AT THE ALERJ
On May 28th, the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio de Janeiro, on the initiative of Congresswoman Renata Souza, held a Public Hearing on the subject of public policies for women's health in the state of Rio de Janeiro: perspectives for the future of women's aging. Representatives from the State Secretariat for Women and the State Secretariat for Health, the Popular and Libertarian Education Collective, the Maré Women's House and FIOCRUZ took part in the hearing to discuss issues of ageing and care, at which time women undergoing cancer treatment strongly questioned the Secretariat for Health and showed their concern about possible setbacks in care for these women. Leila Linhares Barsted took part in the hearing.
TOGETHER FOR MARINA SILVA
On her radio program Viva Maria, on May 28th, Mara Régia interviewed several women, bringing together voices of indignation at the violence suffered by Environmental Minister Marina Silva at the hands of Senator Marcos Rogério. The radio program also collected messages of solidarity with Marina.
Jacqueline Pitanguy and Leila Linhares Barsted were among those interviewed. Leila highlighted the importance of political violence being exposed and punished, also by political parties, and signaled the importance of the Senate Ethics Committee taking a stand. Jacqueline said that Brazilian women, in their diversity, were all offended and are in mourning, emphasizing that this violence suffered by Marina reflects centuries of misogyny, also present in the formal political arena, where women are still very underrepresented.
SEMINAR ON THE GENEVA CONSENSUS
On May 28th, Jacqueline Pitanguy participated in a virtual international seminar on the Geneva Consensus, organized by The Inclusion Project, IPAS and the Council for Global Equality. The origins of this international coalition that brings together countries with conservative governments that act in the United Nations to block declarations and measures aimed at guaranteeing reproductive rights were discussed, as well as its impacts. Jacqueline spoke about Brazil's participation in the Geneva Consensus Coalition during the Bolsonaro government and about the pressure from civil society and feminist movements to withdraw from it after Lula's election.
HEALTH AND HUMAN RIGHTS: TERRITORIES IN DISPUTE
The Harvard University Journal of Health and Human Rights published Jacqueline Pitanguy's article Health and Human Rights: Territories in Dispute in its May 29th issue. Jacqueline draws attention to the fact that while the debate on abortion in countries with secular governments, such as Brazil, should be based on the premise that unsafe abortion contributes significantly to high rates of maternal mortality and is a violation of the right to health, it instead incorporates moral and religious arguments that feature strong patriarchal perspectives on women’s autonomy and on gender roles and power in the family, education, workforce, and politics.
OAB/RJ PROMOTES SEMINAR ON OBSTETRIC VIOLENCE AND PREVENTABLE MATERNAL DEATHS
On May 29th, the Brazilian Bar Association of Rio de Janeiro, on the initiative of its Commission to Combat Violence against Women and its Working Group on Obstetric Violence, held a Seminar on Obstetric Violence and the Right to Women's Health to discuss this issue that has mobilized feminist movements, both in terms of the still high rates of preventable maternal deaths and the actions of health professionals that lead to suffering and disrespect for women's human rights in prepartum, childbirth and postpartum. Leila Linhares Barsted took part in the opening panel of this event. The Seminar is available at: