Maria da Penha

A Brazilian activist whose perseverance led to landmark legislation against domestic violence

Maria da Penha Maia Fernandes (born 1945) is a Brazilian educator and women's rights activist whose relentless advocacy led to the creation of the Maria da Penha Law, Brazil's pioneering domestic violence legislation passed in 2006. Her story began in the 1980s when she survived two attempted murders by her husband, leading to a decade-long legal battle that exposed systemic failures in addressing gender-based violence.

After fleeing to England during the Brazilian military dictatorship, she returned to Brazil in 1985 and co-founded the Institute for Social and Political Studies. Her testimony before the UN Human Rights Commission in 1995 brought global attention to Brazil's domestic violence crisis, directly influencing the law's creation. The legislation established specialized courts and protection measures, becoming a model for over 20 countries. Maria's work continues through her NGO, Instituto Maria da Penha, which provides legal aid and trains professionals across Latin America.