Brazilian Peasant Women Mark 43 Years of Activism

Why this is here: The MMC was founded by 28 peasant women who met on May 1, 1983, in Itaberaba, a district of Chapecó, Santa Catarina, to discuss their lives and advocate for their rights.

In Brazil, the Movement of Peasant Women (MMC) celebrated 43 years of organizing on May 1st, 2026. The group began in 1983 when 28 women in Santa Catarina gathered to discuss their experiences and advocate for their rights. Initially focused on securing basic rights like land and social security, the MMC evolved to address broader issues of gender and class.

Over time, the MMC grew from local groups to a national force advocating for peasant women’s unique needs within larger social movements. Adriana Mezadri of the MMC’s National Coordination emphasizes the organization’s history is a collective journey of memory and courage. They developed “Popular Peasant Feminism,” a philosophy rooted in the daily lives of rural women and strengthened by connections with Latin American and Caribbean movements.

The MMC currently focuses on securing public policies for rural women, combating violence, and ensuring the wellbeing of rural children and youth. Challenges remain in addressing systemic issues like land concentration and patriarchal structures, but the group continues to build solidarity and advocate for a future where life takes precedence over profit.