In February of this year, federal deputy Maria do Rosário and state deputy Stela Farias, both from the Workers’ Party, presented bills aimed at supporting women and girls who are victims of sexual violence or harassment in leisure establishments. To debate the projects “Não é Não” (PL 03/23) and “Não se Cale RS”, the Legislative Assembly of RS holds a debate, this Monday (20), at 9:30 am.
Inspired by the experience of the “No Callem” program in Barcelona (Spain), triggered to elucidate the case involving player Daniel Alves, the bills in progress create protocols for establishments, such as bars and nightclubs. The proposals create stamps on safe places and women’s rights, increasing women’s safety in these places.
Deputy Maria do Rosário’s PL, like the current protocol in Barcelona, recognizes all existing legislation on violence against women in the country. Based on this, it establishes procedures for clubs or nightclubs, festive and sporting events, bars, restaurants or any other establishment with a large circulation of people to join.
“Owners and teams that work in these environments cannot be unaware that there are women and young people suffering harassment, when it often occurs explicitly, and they omit themselves when they ask for help. They need to be proactive and fight the problem”, says Maria do Rosário.
In turn, the proposal, the “Protocol Não se Cale RS” will have as its principles “speed, humanized care, respect for dignity and honor, protection of the victim’s intimacy and physical and psychological integrity, as well as the preservation of all means of evidence admitted by law”.
“We want to extend this law to all of RS with the aim of preserving rights, guaranteeing principles and providing full protection to the victim”, highlights Stela Farias. She points out that women are daily affected by various forms of violence, “from undue approach, embarrassment, harassment, to more serious situations of sexual harassment and rape”.
Responsibility of public policies and society
For the parliamentarians, the fight against harassment and sexual violence against women is part of laws and norms in Brazil and is a responsibility of public policies and society, requiring forms of participation to always prevent and deal with these situations.
According to surveys carried out in bars and nightclubs, two thirds of the women interviewed in these places in 2022 claimed to feel insecure due to the degree of harassment, embarrassment and threats, which contributes to the high rates of sexual violence in Brazil.
The initiatives of Maria do Rosário and Stela Farias were followed by around 15 councilors from the state, and today there is a strong movement for their approval in the Chamber of Deputies, Legislative Assembly and municipal chambers.
:: Click here to receive news from Brasil de Fato RS on your Whatsapp ::
Source: BdF Rio Grande do Sul
Editing: Marcelo Ferreira
