ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRESS OF PUBLIC POLICIES FOR THE PROTECTION OF WOMEN: PROGRESS, DIFFICULTIES AND EFFECTIVENESS IN COMBATING VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

Abstract

Violence against women remains one of the most serious social problems in Brazil, despite the existence of a legal framework considered advanced internationally. The contradiction between robust legislation and persistent rates of aggression indicates weaknesses in the effectiveness of public policies aimed at protecting women. Recent data show that a femicide occurs every six hours in the country (Brazilian Forum on Public Security, 2023), highlighting profound gaps between normative theory and institutional practice. This Final Course Project analyzes the advances, limitations, and challenges of public policies to combat violence against women, discussing structural, cultural, and institutional factors that compromise their effectiveness. The research is based on an integrative literature review, bringing together theoretical, empirical, and normative studies, as well as official reports such as those from IPEA and FBSP. Grounded in feminist and intersectional perspectives, the study investigates how social, racial, and gender inequalities shape access to state protection. The results indicate that, despite legislative progress, obstacles persist such as lack of adequate infrastructure, professional unpreparedness, insufficient shelters, institutional revictimization, and budgetary limitations. It is concluded that strengthening public policies requires coordinated actions focused on prevention, investment in education, expansion of the support network, and inclusion of intersectional approaches that consider the diversity of Brazilian women.