Quote:“Corrective rape, slaps, and stabbings – they want to keep us silent, but not even death can silence us. Women alive!” With these words, social worker Elisandra “Lis” Martins ended her speech at the battle of rhymes in downtown Brasília, at the Levante Mulheres Vivas (“Women Alive Uprising”), held in several state capitals across Brazil on Sunday (Dec. 7).

Under heavy rain, thousands of people joined the protest in the Federal District to denounce violence against women, femicide, and the government’s failure to protect and prevent gender-based violence.

The protest was called by dozens of women’s organizations after a series of high-profile cases of femicide shocked Brazil in recent days. In Brasília, activists gave speeches and cultural performances took place at the TV Tower in the city center.