Entre cartilhas e canais de denúncia: a atuação das Defensorias Públicas Estaduais brasileiras frente à violência obstétrica

Objective: to describe and analyze the role of Brazilian State Public Defender’s Offices in addressing obstetric violence, focusing on the production of educational materials, the availability of specific reporting channels, and the presence of Specialized Centers for the Promotion and Defense of Women’s Rights. Methodology: this qualitative, documentary research was conducted through the analysis of official websites of State Public Defender’s Offices. Results: specialized Centers were identified in 18 Public Defender’s Offices and, in five others, equivalent structures with similar functions. Among the 27 federal units, 11 provide informational booklets on obstetric violence, mostly concentrated in states with these Centers, suggesting that their presence contributes to the production and dissemination of educational materials on the subject. The thematic gaps in these publications —rarely addressing abortion or institutional racism — reveal persistent challenges in understanding the structural dimensions of obstetric violence and in formulating effective institutional responses. Experiences such as the State Committee for Confronting Obstetric Violence in Amazonas and the Protocol for Action in Cases of Obstetric Violence in Paraná illustrate distinct yet complementary approaches to strengthening qualified listening, intersectoral collaboration, and data production. Conclusion: the role of State Public Defender’s Offices in addressing obstetric violence remains under construction. The findings highlight the importance of expanding institutional visibility of the issue and strengthening listening and accountability mechanisms to ensure a State response to one of the most persistent forms of women’s rights violations. Received: August 7, 2025 | Revised: November 5, 2025 | Accepted: December 19, 2025