Maria da Penha (b 1945) Brazilian ' Maria da Penha Law 2006 ' - law against domestic violence

Maria,from Brazil, married a Columbian husband and they had 3 children
After he was granted Brazilian citizenship he became violent to both his wife and children.

He shot her in the spine and she became a paraplegic. He escaped punishment because he said it happen when they were burgled - the police accepted the story.
He then tried to electrocute her her while she bathed.

For the next 19 years she fought to have him jailed. He was tried twice, found guilty but went free each time. In 2002 sentenced to 8 years in jail but released in 2003.

Maria campaigned for changes in the law with regards to domestic violence. She took her case to the Organization of America States.

August 7th, 2006, the Maria da Penha Law was passed. It entered into force on 22nd September 2006.

Brazil now recognizes multiple forms of violence against women and sets stricter punishments to abuse. A change that has had a life saving impact on countless women.

Today Maria is the coordinator of studies of the *Associacao de Parentes e Amigos de Violencia de Violencia (APAVV)

Sources
Wikipedia
*RISE: Extraordinary Women of Colour Who Have Changed the World *
by Maliha Abidi