Maria da Penha: UN Women Survivors' Forum

Maria da Penha is a survivor of domestic violence. She suffered two murder attempts, was shot and paralyzed. Maria da Penha started participating in social movements against violence and impunity. Her experience and testimony helped to change Brazilian domestic violence laws with the establishment of a national law known as the Maria da Penha Law. The law creates mechanisms to prevent domestic violence against women; supports the arrest of perpetrators in the act of the crime; and bans alternative sentences for these crimes. Currently, through the Maria da Penha Institute, which she helped establish, she promotes lectures to broaden knowledge about the law and support women survivors of domestic violence.For more information, please visit Say NO-UNiTE: http://bit.ly/U4Sbq3Or UN Women: http://bit.ly/VMxo8i