BRAZIL | DPU launches gender equality and women's protection initiatives during CSDPU session

On Wednesday, 19 April 2025, the Federal Public Defenders' Office (DPU) held an extraordinary session of its Superior Council (CSDPU) in honor of the Women's Month. The meeting marked the conclusion of the project “DPU Por Elas: Igualdade e Respeito” (DPU for Women: Equality and Respect), launched on March 8, and reinforced the institution's commitment to policies promoting equity and safety for women.

During the session, various institutional initiatives and programs aimed at protecting and valuing women in the workplace were presented and formalized. Among the key actions is the Ordinance establishing a support channel for women victims of harassment within the DPU, as well as the publication of technical manuals, adherence to the UNDP Gender Equality Seal, and the release of a 'DPU in Numbers' report on female participation within the institution.

The federal public defender-general Leonardo Magalhães handed over the presidency of the session to the DPU's Inspector General, Flávia Borges Margi, symbolizing the importance of female representation in institutional decision-making. In her speech, Flávia highlighted the event as a milestone in the defense of women's rights, emphasizing the DPU's commitment to eradicating gender-based violence and promoting a more equal society.

“The Council meets today not only to celebrate Women's Month, but to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to the fight for gender equality and justice for all women. As a feminist and human rights advocate, it is essential to recognize the fundamental role that the DPU plays in protecting and promoting women's rights. We will continue to work to eradicate gender-based violence and discrimination while fostering a more just and equal society,” says Flávia Borges Margi. 

Magalhães emphasized the need for concrete transformation to ensure effective rights to women within the institution. "The realization of these rights requires a systemic, strategic, transformative, and specialized approach. The DPU has consolidated its role within the Brazilian justice system. Our institution has embraced this imperative, as it is not merely an ideological choice but an ethical commitment to upholding the principles of dignity, substantive equality and our mission to promote and protect human rights," he said.

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Source: The Federal Public Defenders' Office, Brazil