On June 15, thousands of women marched through Sao Paulo, voicing their strong opposition to a controversial bill currently advancing in Brazil’s conservative Congress. The proposed legislation seeks to classify abortions performed after 22 weeks of pregnancy as homicide, with prison sentences ranging from six to 20 years. This move has been widely condemned as one of the most repressive measures against women’s reproductive rights in decades.
The demonstrators, carrying banners and chanting slogans, filled Sao Paulo’s main Paulista Avenue. Among the protestors were people of all ages, including many retirees and children, united in their rejection of the proposal. A popular chant during the march was, “A child is not a mother, a rapist is not a father,” underscoring the protestors’ stance against the bill.
In Brazil, abortion is currently allowed only in cases of rape, fetal deformation, or when the mother’s life is at risk. If the new bill, which has strong backing from evangelical lawmakers, becomes law, even abortions sought by rape victims after 22 weeks would be considered homicide. Feminist groups have criticized the legislation, arguing that it imposes harsher penalties on women than those currently given to rapists in Brazil.
Critics also point out that the proposed changes would have a severe impact on young victims of familial abuse. These children, often unaware of their rights or unable to seek help, may not realize they are pregnant until it is too late. The proposed law would leave them with no legal recourse, effectively punishing the victims rather than providing them with the necessary support.
Leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been vocal in his opposition to the bill, describing it as “insane.” At a news conference during the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Italy, he stated, “It is insane to want to punish a woman with a greater penalty than the criminal who committed the rape.” Lula has pledged that his government will uphold the current laws, which aim to punish rapists and treat their victims with respect.
Protests began on Thursday across Brazil’s largest cities after the lower chamber of Congress voted to fast-track the bill, limiting debate on its provisions. Faced with mounting criticism, particularly over the prospect of rape victims facing harsher punishments than their assailants, the bill’s author, Sostenes Cavalcante, has indicated he will propose increasing the maximum sentence for rape, currently capped at 10 years.
Cavalcante, an evangelical pastor and a member of former hard-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s party, may see the progress of his bill slowed by the widespread backlash. A source within the office of Speaker Arthur Lira suggested that Lira is reconsidering his plans to bring the bill to a plenary vote soon, expecting significant amendments to its text.
The bill’s passage remains uncertain in the upper chamber, where right-wing senators hold less influence. Senate President Rodrigo Pacheco has stated that the bill must undergo thorough debate in committees before any further action is taken. First Lady Rosangela da Silva has also expressed her disapproval on social media, arguing that Congress should instead focus on ensuring access to legal and safe abortions through the national health system (SUS).
Brazil’s stringent abortion laws force many women to resort to unsafe illegal abortions, leading to numerous fatalities each year. The proposed legislation threatens to exacerbate this issue, further endangering the lives of Brazilian women.
