Legal literacy as a tool for social transformation: the diffusion of the Maria da Penha Law in social conviviality

Abstract

This scientific article investigates the concept of legal literacy as a fundamental vector for the effectiveness of Law No. 11.340/2006 (Maria da Penha Law) in everyday social relations. The research problem focuses on the dissonance between the existence of the protective norm and the lack of knowledge of its content and scope by a large part of the population, which perpetuates cycles of violence. The general objective is to analyze how the diffusion of legal knowledge beyond the courts — in schools, companies, churches, and community associations — acts as a mechanism for prevention and cultural transformation. The methodology adopted is the deductive method, supported by bibliographic and documentary review of works and legislation published up to 2021. The results demonstrate that the mere validity of the law is insufficient to deconstruct structural machismo; it is necessary for the Law to be appropriated by society through a citizen pedagogy. It is concluded that legal literacy empowers victims to break the silence and instrumentalizes the informal support network, making social conviviality the first territory in the fight against gender violence.