Brazil violence on women up 37%, defence classes full

In Sao Paulo's Paraisopolis favela a large group of women participated in a self-defence class Wednesday.

The members, some of whom have been victims of abuse themselves, are determined to defend themselves from harm in their homes and on the streets, where they are vulnerable to attack from their partners, and from strangers.

According to a World Bank Group study spanning 2019-2020, violence against women has risen 27%, with a 22% rise in femicides, the name for a hate motivated homocide.

The study cites "economic and epidemic related" risk factors as driving forces for the trend.

The study goes on to reveal a shocking 37% of Brazilian women have faced violence at home or in the streets in some form, alarming women's rights activists, who say not enough is being done to address the problem.

In July, the Brazilian Government passed a landmark law providing additional protections to women facing violence at home, recognizing the effect of the pandemic and subsequent economic hardship on families, especially those facing financial hardship.

The defence training is one step towards women taking matters in their own hands, learning to defend themselves against aggression, and a step towards addressing the issue of their own safety.