Like in many other countries, domestic violence against women increased during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil. Social isolation exacerbated family conflicts and forced women to be in closer proximity to their aggressors for longer periods of time. Shockingly, during March and April 2020, the number of femicides grew by over 22% when compared to the same period in 2020.
Image: One of the cars with loudspeakers, used to spread vital information
Despite this increase in the number of cases, the data show a reduction in the number of complaints, either because of women’s fear of reporting due to the proximity of the aggressor, or fear of not complying with social isolation measures. Despite this, there were over 105,000 reports to the national support line for domestic abuse in 2020.
To encourage reporting, and to inform the population how to go about it, we supported our partner Cunha Coletivo Feminista, and the Paraiba branch of the Association of Brazilian Women to disseminate a ‘jingle’ (catchy song) in 16 districts of urban areas where over 300,000 people live.
Using cars with loudspeakers, the one-minute jingle was repeated several times in each area, as the cars went up and down the streets of each district at the busiest times of the day. It was heard by people in their houses, by those going about their business in local markets and by those in work. Many of the women we support in these districts were delighted to tell us that they had heard the jingle, or that their neighbours had commented on it. They reported that it made it easy to remember both the national and Paraiba state support line phone numbers.
Context:
This activity took place as part of our women’s economic empowerment project, funded by the Penny Appeal. The project, which finished in February, was designed to increase the economic autonomy of 140 women, with a view to improving their lives and addressing gender inequalities. In view of the high rate of violence against women in Paraiba, space was also provided to reflect on gender inequality and gender-based violence. The jingle and its dissemination were paid for by the national Association of Brazilian Women (of which our partner Cunha Coletivo Feminista is a member) and the Penny Appeal.
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