# Law No. 7353 of August 29, 1985

> Brazilian law

**Wikidata**: [Q105650344](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105650344)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/law-no-7353-of-august-29-1985

## Summary
Law No. 7353 of August 29, 1985 is a Brazilian statute that established the National Council for Women's Rights (Conselho Nacional dos Direitos da Mulher - CNDM) and provided related provisions. Enacted during the presidency of José Sarney, this law represents a significant legal milestone in Brazil's efforts to institutionalize gender equality and women's rights protections.

## Key Facts
- **Official Title:** Lei nº 7353, de 29 de agosto de 1985
- **Enactment Date:** August 29, 1985
- **Country:** Brazil
- **Approved By:** Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil (President José Sarney)
- **Type:** Statute (formal written document creating law)
- **Main Purpose:** Creation of the National Council for Women's Rights (CNDM)
- **Language:** Brazilian Portuguese
- **Publication Location:** Brasília, Brazil
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 7353/1985
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1985-08-29;7353
- **Main Subjects:** Employee rights, Ministry of Justice and Public Security, promotion, financial resources, legal norms, and council operations
- **Key Provisions:** Establishment of CNDM, guidelines for its operation, financial resources allocation, and connection to the executive branch
- **Available At:** https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l7353.htm
- **Jurisdiction:** Applies to the entire territory of Brazil
- **WikiProject:** Brazilian Laws

## FAQs

**What is the primary purpose of Law No. 7353 of 1985?**
Law No. 7353 of August 29, 1985 primarily established the National Council for Women's Rights (CNDM) in Brazil. This law created a formal institutional framework to address women's rights issues and provided guidelines for the council's operation, composition, and financial resources.

**Who approved this law and when?**
The law was approved by the Presidency of the Federative Republic of Brazil under President José Sarney on August 29, 1985. It was promulgated as part of Brazil's transition to democratic governance following military rule.

**What are the main subjects covered by this law?**
The law addresses multiple key areas including: employee rights, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security's role, promotion of women's rights, financial resource allocation, legal norms governing the council, and operational guidelines for the CNDM. It also covers aspects like council membership, direct administration, and the council's connection to the executive branch.

**Where can the official text of this law be found?**
The official text is available at the Brazilian government's legislative portal: https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l7353.htm. It is also referenced in the LexML Brazil database with the identifier urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1985-08-29;7353.

**How does this law relate to Brazil's broader legal framework?**
This law is part of Brazil's federal statutory law and operates within the jurisdiction of the entire country. It represents an important development in Brazil's legal system regarding gender equality and institutional mechanisms for protecting women's rights, particularly significant as it was enacted during Brazil's redemocratization period.

## Why It Matters

Law No. 7353 of 1985 holds significant importance in Brazil's legal and social history as it established the first national institutional framework specifically dedicated to women's rights. This law created the National Council for Women's Rights (CNDM) during a crucial period of Brazil's transition from military rule to democracy, representing the government's formal recognition of the need for institutional mechanisms to address gender inequality.

The law matters because it provided a legal foundation for systematic attention to women's issues at the national level, including areas like employment rights, legal protections, and policy development. By creating the CNDM, the law established a platform for developing policies, allocating resources, and coordinating efforts across government agencies to promote gender equality.

This legislation also reflects Brazil's commitment to international human rights standards regarding women's rights, particularly during a time when the country was re-establishing its democratic institutions. The law's provisions for financial resources and operational guidelines ensured that the council would have the necessary tools to function effectively.

Moreover, Law No. 7353 serves as a historical marker in Brazil's ongoing struggle for gender equality, providing a legal precedent for subsequent legislation and policies aimed at protecting women's rights and promoting gender equity in Brazilian society.

## Notable For

- **First National Women's Rights Council:** Established Brazil's first formal national institution dedicated specifically to women's rights
- **Democratic Transition Legislation:** Enacted during Brazil's redemocratization period (1985) following military rule
- **Presidential Approval:** Signed into law by President José Sarney, Brazil's first civilian president after military dictatorship
- **Comprehensive Framework:** Addresses multiple dimensions including legal norms, financial resources, and operational guidelines
- **Ministry Connection:** Formally connects women's rights to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security
- **Employee Rights Focus:** Includes specific provisions related to women's employment rights
- **Legal Precedent:** Serves as foundational legislation for subsequent women's rights policies in Brazil
- **Public Domain Status:** As an official Brazilian law, it is in the public domain and freely accessible
- **LexML Integration:** Officially cataloged in Brazil's legal information system with permanent identifier
- **WikiProject Recognition:** Included in WikiProject Brazilian Laws, indicating its significance in legal documentation

## Body

### Legislative Context and Enactment

Law No. 7353 was enacted on August 29, 1985, during a pivotal moment in Brazilian history. This period marked Brazil's transition from military rule (1964-1985) to democratic governance. The law was approved by President José Sarney, who became Brazil's first civilian president after the military dictatorship, serving from 1985 to 1990.

The legislation represents part of Brazil's broader redemocratization process, where new institutions were created to address social issues that had been neglected or suppressed during military rule. The establishment of the National Council for Women's Rights through this law reflected the new democratic government's commitment to addressing gender inequality through institutional mechanisms.

### Creation of the National Council for Women's Rights

The primary achievement of Law No. 7353 is the creation of the National Council for Women's Rights (Conselho Nacional dos Direitos da Mulher - CNDM). This council was established as a formal institution within Brazil's federal government structure, specifically connected to the executive branch and the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.

The law outlines the council's purpose, which includes promoting women's rights, developing policies to address gender inequality, and coordinating efforts across different government agencies. The CNDM was designed to serve as a central body for addressing women's issues at the national level.

### Key Provisions and Subjects

Law No. 7353 addresses several important subjects through its provisions:

- **Employee Rights:** The law includes specific considerations regarding women's rights in employment contexts
- **Ministry of Justice Connection:** Establishes the council's relationship with the Ministry of Justice and Public Security
- **Promotion of Rights:** Outlines mechanisms for promoting and protecting women's rights
- **Financial Resources:** Provides for the allocation of financial resources to support the council's operations
- **Legal Norms:** Establishes the legal framework and norms governing the council's activities
- **Operational Guidelines:** Defines how the council should function, including membership and administration

The law also addresses the council's composition, appointment processes, and the specific goals it should pursue. It provides for the council's connection to the President of Brazil and the broader executive branch.

### Legal Classification and Documentation

Law No. 7353 is classified as a statute, which is a formal written document that creates law. In Brazil's legal system, this places it within the category of federal legislation that applies across the entire national territory.

The law is officially documented with several important identifiers:
- **LexML Brazil ID:** urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1985-08-29;7353
- **Legal Citation:** Lei nº 7353/1985
- **Publication Date:** August 29, 1985
- **Place of Publication:** Brasília, Brazil

These identifiers ensure the law's permanent accessibility and proper citation in legal contexts.

### Accessibility and Public Domain Status

As an official Brazilian law, Law No. 7353 is in the public domain. This means the text is freely available for public use, reproduction, and distribution without copyright restrictions. The official text can be accessed through multiple government portals, including:
- https://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/leis/1980-1988/l7353.htm
- https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1985-08-29;7353

This public accessibility is crucial for transparency and ensures that citizens, researchers, and legal professionals can access the law's provisions.

### Historical and Social Context

The enactment of Law No. 7353 occurred during a significant period in Brazil's social and political development. The 1980s marked a time of increasing awareness of women's rights issues globally, and Brazil was no exception. The creation of the CNDM through this law represented Brazil's response to growing demands for institutional mechanisms to address gender inequality.

This law also reflects the influence of international human rights movements on Brazilian legislation. The establishment of a national women's rights council aligned with global trends toward creating institutional frameworks for gender equality.

### Relationship to Other Legal Instruments

Law No. 7353 operates within Brazil's broader legal framework for human rights and social justice. It complements other legislation addressing discrimination, employment rights, and social welfare. The law's provisions for the CNDM create a specific institutional mechanism that works alongside other government agencies and legal instruments addressing women's issues.

The law's connection to the Ministry of Justice and Public Security also establishes important linkages between women's rights and the broader justice system, creating pathways for legal protections and enforcement mechanisms.

### Impact and Legacy

Since its enactment, Law No. 7353 has had a lasting impact on Brazil's approach to women's rights. The CNDM established by this law has played a crucial role in developing national policies, coordinating government efforts, and raising awareness about gender equality issues.

The law's legacy includes:
- Providing a model for subsequent women's rights legislation
- Establishing institutional mechanisms that have been expanded and refined over time
- Creating a precedent for government accountability in addressing gender inequality
- Serving as a reference point for activists and policymakers working on women's rights issues

The law remains an important part of Brazil's legal framework for gender equality and continues to be referenced in contemporary discussions about women's rights and social justice.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lexml.gov.br/urn/urn:lex:br:federal:lei:1985-08-29;7353)
2. [Source](https://legislacao.presidencia.gov.br/atos?tipo=LEI&numero=7353&ano=1985&data=29/08/1985&ato=9a6UTR65keBpWT00b)
3. LexML Brasil