The MPF (Federal Public Ministry) opened last Monday (15) a civil investigation to investigate the alleged omission of public authorities in São Paulo in the fight against violence against women at the state level.
The investigation follows the increase in cases of femicide recorded in São Paulo this year. There were 207 cases from January to October 2025 compared to 194 (6.7%) for the same period the previous year.
The capital has one in four incidents of this type, leading the MPF to request information from the city of São Paulo on the increase in the number of cases and the measures adopted to mitigate the problem.
The agency requested data relating to the budget for public policy to combat violence against women and the equipment made available to victims of domestic violence.
It also asks whether early childhood education programs include elements relating to human rights and the prevention of forms of violence against women.
In a press release, the administration of Ricardo Nunes (MDB) claims to have a vast support and reception network to help women victims of violence.
“In terms of security, the Guardiã Maria da Penha program has already served more than 20 thousand women and supports 6,000 others. There are 23 vehicles — a fleet that almost doubled last year — to patrol the capital and an Inspectorate for the Defense of Women and Social Actions (IDMAS) of the Metropolitan Civil Guard.”
The note also specifies that “the municipality has 38 social assistance services, totaling 1,721 vacant positions, which offer psychosocial and legal assistance, emergency reception in Casas Abrigo and Casas de Passagem, in addition to the Women’s Defense and Coexistence Centers and confidential units for women in danger of death.”
The municipality also specifies that “themes such as gender equality, the fight against violence and awareness of women’s rights are worked on throughout the school year in municipal schools”.
Similar requests were sent to the São Paulo government. The MPF is investigating an alleged reduction in funding for the Women’s Secretariat and women’s police stations, which are linked to the state civil police.
This question follows an approach by federal deputy Érika Hilton (PSOL-SP) who asked the TCE-SP (State Court of Auditors) to control the budget for women’s protection policies.
The parliamentarian claims that the state leadership has reduced funding for bodies appointed by the MPF and that the government budget for 2026 reduces the budget of the Secretariat for Women’s Policy by 54.4%, from R$36.2 million (in 2025) to R$16.5 million.
In a press release, the Tarcísio de Freitas administration (Republican) claims to have implemented “in a pioneering way a multisectoral policy to guarantee the safety, health and financial autonomy of women in the state”.
According to the Palácio dos Bandeirantes, the budget of the parliamentarian’s target portfolio has been increased throughout the year with amendments and additional funds and that the value proposed for 2026 is higher than that initially planned for this year.
“For 2025, BRL 9.6 million was planned. For 2026, the budget is BRL 16.5 million, a value 70% higher than that of 2025, without counting possible supplements and amendments,” he specifies.
The government also claims to invest in other initiatives, such as Casas da Mulher, aimed at providing assistance to women in vulnerable situations, the creation of 24-hour shifts in women’s police stations – in force since 2023 – and the Safe Woman application, which has already generated 1,400 police reports and 4,900 activations of the alarm button.
“Another fundamental measure is the monitoring of attackers with electronic ankle bracelets. Under the current administration, 1,250 ankle bracelets have been purchased and made available, representing a total investment of 7.8 million reais. Today, 200 people are monitored with a focus on domestic violence. Since 2023, 98 have been arrested for non-compliance with protection measures,” he says.
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