Women march to combat violence and take a leading role in politics

Women’s Month

Women participate in a cultural event to end domestic violence in Amazonas, which has increased by 11% in the last two years; for gender equality and greater participation of women in politics

Hundreds of protesters participated in the cultural event with the theme “Women in defense of Democracy: no coup, no amnesty and no misogyny”. The walk took place on International Women’s Day, which took place this Friday (8/3). In the historic center of Manaus, they called for an end to domestic violence which, in 2023, killed 36,526 women in Amazonas.

Under the coordination of the Permanent Forum of Women of Manaus, the group concentrated on Praça da Matriz and then walked along avenues Sete de Setembro, Eduardo Ribeiro to Largo de São Sebastião. During the journey, they remembered murders such as that of Venezuelan artist Julieta Ines Martinez, 38 years old, who was killed in the municipality of Presidente Figueiredo, located 117 km from Manaus, while traveling through Brazil to promote circus art.

Pay equity between men and women, women’s financial appreciation, and the reduction of poverty that affects nine out of 10 Brazilian women were highlighted by the protesters as obstacles to be overcome. “We have to celebrate, mainly, our existence and our life. Every day is a struggle for women to continue guaranteeing their rights; continue guaranteeing more credit, more education, more health. It’s a very big fight. Today, we have a Federal Government that respects women so much that it established the Ministry of Women. But we need to move forward. Therefore, we will continue to fight for our rights”, stated PT National Secretary of Women, Anne Moura.

The protest location was not chosen at random. The historic center of Manaus is an environment marked by female struggle.

“We put together all the struggles to be here walking in the center of Manaus. The center is the scene of many struggles for rights, for our survival, for the right to our bodies, for citizenship. For everything that many others before us fought for”, explained Anne.

The PT’s National Women’s Secretary demanded assertive actions from public managers to correct deficiencies that harm women in several areas.

“Women know the city they want. Women suffer in UBS’s (Basic Health Units), ask for daycare, fight for their lives on public transport and in dark streets, where they are constantly threatened. We march because we want more rights, we march for the right to our bodies. Women in the Amazon scream and cry for survival. Women in Amazonas are asking for help”, cried the secretary.

The installation of the Casa da Mulher Brasileira, a humanized care center specialized in assisting women in situations of domestic violence, was demanded during the demonstration to ensure the basic rights of Amazonians.

“Here, we have representatives from various social movements who demand that Manaus be a city where women can go wherever they want. And, no, a city that excludes the working mother, the mother who has to make all the choices of the day to guarantee a better life”, highlighted Anne.

Protagonists in politics

Even though they represent the majority of the population, in Amazonas they represent 50.1% and, in Brazil, 51.5%, female representation in politics is still low. The state of Amazonas has only five state deputies compared to 19 deputies; no federal deputy or senator.

“Although Brazil is experiencing a new reality, this reality is very far from happening here in our state. The time has come for our city to give the message by electing women. Women who, yes, do politics. We want more equality. And this is not against men. We want them to join us in this fight. And respect our bodies. We want to be respected for our rights and our trajectories. Let’s march with solidarity, tenderness and collectively. We don’t need to masculinize politics any more than it already is. We want women as protagonists”, cried Anne.

*With information from the Advisory

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