Brazil: Encourage and end the silence
The Evangelical Church of the Lutheran Confession in Brazil (IECLB) affirms the dignity of women and men as children of God.
As the Church of Jesus Christ, the IECLB accepts this obligation, based on the biblical testimony that affirms the dignity of women and men as children of God, created in his image (Genesis 1:27) and adopted by him through baptism (Galatians 3:26-28).
Domestic violence is a very serious problem in Brazil. It is a form of violence that is often covert and insidious, especially because it takes place in the private sphere; the victims are children, young people, senior citizens and, above all, women.
In Brazil, there are special laws to protect women against all forms of violence: the Lei Maria da Penha law of 2006 and, since 2015, the Lei do Feminicídio law for harsher punishment of murders of women. Nevertheless, violence against women has increased, especially during the pandemic.
The church and its members and groups must reflect on this and act accordingly to overcome prejudice and violence and practise gender justice. This not only strives for fairer relationships; it also wants to promote behaviour that is characterised by respect and equality. In order to achieve fair relationships between the sexes, women and men must pull together, reflect together and reorganise the way they relate to each other, exercise power and lead.
With the comic story of "Valentina" (pdf, 25 MB), the IECLB provides information on the topic of violence against women.
The whole family comes together for the grandmother's 70th birthday. By chance, Valentina, a teenager (granddaughter) discovers bruises on her aunt Maria's arm. "What's that, auntie?" Maria claims that she slipped in the bathroom, but Valentina and her mother don't believe it. Her grandmother doesn't want them to talk about it.
After dinner, the men have fun playing cards while the women do the washing up. Valentina realises that this is not fair. Some of the women take the opportunity to speak to Maria. They know that the bruises are from violent outbursts by Maria's husband João, which Maria initially denies but eventually admits.
Later, everyone reunites as an extended family and João is confronted. First he denies everything, then he blames Maria. Etc. One of the women also mentions the "Lei Maria da Penha" law, which is intended to protect women from violence. In addition to physical violence, other forms of violence are also discussed. It also emerges that the grandfather was also often violent towards the grandmother. They talk about the causes of the violence (João doesn't know what to do with his anger and aggression). His brother-in-law Luis, who coordinates a men's group to overcome violence, offers him help.
