THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE MARIA DA PENHA LAW IN COMBATING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: CHALLENGES OF JUDICIAL SLOWNESS, LACK OF STRUCTURE, AND CULTURAL RESISTANCE IN AMAZONAS

Abstract

The relevance of this study is based on the need to understand domestic violence as a structural problem of great social, legal and human impact. In Brazil, thousands of women are victims of physical, psychological, sexual, moral and patrimonial aggression every year, and in Amazonas these rates take on even more worrying proportions due to the socioeconomic vulnerability and territorial extension of the state. The Maria da Penha Law is an important milestone in the fight against gender violence, being recognized by the UN as one of the most complete legislations in the world. However, the distance between what the law provides for and what is actually practiced remains a challenge. Judicial slowness, the limitation of the institutional structure and local cultural resistance make it difficult to fully protect victims, allowing many cases not to receive an adequate response. Understanding this scenario is fundamental not only for the legal field, but for the formulation of more efficient public policies adapted to regional needs. The analysis of Amazonian particularities contributes to identifying gaps, pointing out administrative failures, strengthening the protection network and creating solutions that respect the local reality. In addition, the study has academic relevance by integrating discussions on fundamental rights, gender, domestic violence, judicial process and public policies, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinarity in confronting violence against women.