Thousands of women occupied Avenida Paulista in São Paulo on July 25, 2026, to demand the criminalization of misogyny [1].
The mobilization seeks to force the Brazilian legislature to act on a bill that would establish legal penalties for misogynistic acts. Supporters argue that current laws are insufficient to protect women from systemic hate and targeted violence.
The protests were organized by the movement Levante Mulheres Vivas [1]. The group said the Chamber of Deputies should vote on Project Law 896/2023, commonly referred to as the "PL da Misoginia" [1], [2]. While the demonstration began in São Paulo, the movement expanded to include simultaneous protests in 12 cities [1]. These locations included Brasília, Rio de Janeiro, and Belo Horizonte [1].
Activists are pressuring Hugo Motta, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, to place the bill on the official agenda [1], [2]. The demand comes after the bill received unanimous approval in the Senate [1]. Despite this support and the application of an urgency regime within the Chamber of Deputies [1], the legislation has not yet been voted upon.
There are conflicting reports regarding the timeline for the vote. Some reports indicate the bill remains without a scheduled date in the Chamber [1], while other sources suggest the Chamber should vote on the measure before the upcoming recess [2].
The movement continued its activities in various capital cities on Sunday, July 26, 2026 [1]. Participants included feminist activists and general supporters of the legislative change who said the delay in voting is an affront to women's rights in Brazil.
“Demonstrations across 12 cities demand the Chamber of Deputies vote on PL 896/2023.”
The push for PL 896/2023 represents a shift toward treating misogyny as a distinct legal category of crime rather than a general aggravating factor in violence. The unanimous Senate approval indicates broad legislative consensus, but the bottleneck at the Chamber of Deputies highlights the tension between grassroots activist pressure and the procedural priorities of the house leadership.
