Brazilian lawmaker wants lottery revenue to address violence against women
The first secretary of the Legislative Assembly, state deputy Paulo Corrêa presented a bill that could represent a significant advancement in the fight against gender violence in Mato Grosso do Sul. The proposal aims to allocate 10% of the revenue from state lotteries to actions addressing violence against women, children, and adolescents.
The initiative arises in response to the fact that the state now ranks third in the national index of violence against women and has already registered five cases of femicide in 2025.
“These numbers are not just statistics. They represent interrupted lives, destroyed families, and a society that cries out for justice and protection. It is crucial that the State adopts concrete measures to ensure the safety and dignity of women, children, and adolescents,” emphasized the deputy.
Currently, State Law 5,720/2021 directs 50% of lottery revenue to housing programs, while the remaining funds are distributed among various sectors such as sports, education, health, social development, and culture. With the new proposal, 10% of these funds would be specifically reserved for public safety actions aimed at combating gender violence and protecting children and adolescents.
Corrêa argued that gender violence is a structural problem that requires equally structural responses. “The allocation of dedicated and specific resources to combat this violence will ensure the continuity and expansion of existing public policies, in addition to demonstrating the State’s commitment to protecting human rights and building a fairer and more equitable society,” he stated.
The bill will still be analysed and voted on by state deputies. If approved, the government will have 90 days to regulate the measure. The expectation is that, with the guarantee of specific resources, the state can expand essential services such as specialized police stations, and humane care programs, as well as prevention campaigns.
The announcement comes as the State Treasury Secretariat (Sefaz) of the state has launched a new notice aimed at selecting a company to operate the first stage of Lotesul, the state’s own lottery system.
