Lula’s first lady and ministers participated in an event to end violence against women this Sunday (Dec 7) in Brasília
First Lady Janja da Silva stated that Brazil needs a “tougher legislation to combat femicide.” The statement was made at the “Levante Mulheres Vivas” event, held in Brasília this Sunday (Dec 7, 2025). In addition to Janja, 6 of the president’s 10 ministers (PT) were present at the event.
According to Janja, in order for harsher sentences to be imposed for crimes against women, it is necessary “put pressure on the Judiciary”. She said she asked the ministers to call on the Judiciary for a discussion on toughening penalties for femicide. “It is not possible for a man to kill a woman and, a week later, be on the street to kill another”he declared.
When the first lady mentioned the Judiciary, the public began asking for a woman on the STF (Supreme Federal Court). In response, she stated that “the problem is not the STF, it is lower down: the Judiciary of small towns and the delegates of small police stations”.
Janja further stated that “there’s no shortage of public policy, what’s missing is shame on men’s faces”. Planalto established the Ministry of Women, responsible for developing guidelines and actions to guarantee female rights. The department had been abolished during the former president’s government (PL).
VACANCY AT STF
After former Supreme Court minister Luís Roberto Barroso , They asked the president to nominate a woman for the position. The one chosen by Lula was the
In November, Janja even defended a woman for the Supreme Court seat, but said that the decision was her husband’s.
“I always want more women, but I need to respect the decision of a President of the Republic. The final choice is his, but it brings with it many things, so we need to understand the political moment, the future of the country”he stated in an interview with CNN.
Before the definition of Messiah for the vacancy on the court, the PT member had –among them, no woman.
The STF is made up of 11 ministers. In the current composition, while Messiah does not pass through they are : 9 men and 1 woman, minister Cármen Lúcia.
The Supreme Court has existed since 1891. Only 3 women have served as ministers: Ellen Gracie (2000 – 2011), nominated by Fernando Henrique Cardoso, Cármen Lúcia (since 2006), nominated by Lula and Rosa Weber (2011 to 2023), nominated by Dilma Rousseff (PT).
THE ACT
The act was called after a wave of femicides in recent weeks that gained space in the national media. In addition to Brasília, demonstrations were also held in at least 20 other states.
Among the cases that drew attention and were mentioned in the act is that of the military Maria de Lourdes Freire Matos25 years old, at the 1st RCG (Guards Cavalry Regiment), in the Urban Military Sector, in Brasília, on Friday (Dec 5).
Here are the government members present at the demonstration:
- Minister of Women, Márcia Lopes;
- minister from Igualdade Racial, Anielle Franco;
- Minister of Science, Technology and Innovations of Brazil, Luciana Santos;
- Minister of Management and Innovation in Public Services of Brazil, Esther Dweck;
- minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sônia Guajajara;
- Minister of Institutional Relations, Gleisi Hoffmann;
- Brazilian Minister of Development and Social Assistance, Family and Fight Against Hunger, Wellington Dias – who did not speak at the event.
