Panmela Castro


Panmela Castro, also known as Anarkia Boladona, is a Brazilian artist who utilizes graffiti as a platform to raise awareness on women's rights and the prevalence of domestic violence occurring to women in Brazil. In the year 2006, Brazil had passed a landmark law, called the Maria da Penha Law. This law recognized that physical abuse towards women should be illegal and violates human rights. Many women in Brazil did not know that this law existed. Panmela Castro recognized this, and decided to spread this law through graffiti art. She hoped that through her art, women in Brazil would know that they have rights, and that there is legal protection for women.

Background

Panmela Castro was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. At a young age, she was raised in a family where domestic violence occurred often. She witnessed her mom and aunt being victims to domestic violence. Castro eventually became a victim of domestic violence. Panmela Castro received a bachelor's degree in Fine Arts from the School of Fine Arts at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. She is currently enrolled as a student in the Master of Arts Program at Rio de Janeiro State University.

Style

Panmela Castro believed that she could use graffiti as her canvas in the urban landscape to explore the women body and shed light on gender inequality, women submission, and domestic violence towards women. Panmela Castro uses her art form to condemn domestic violence.

Cultural impact and accomplishments

Panmela Castro has been nominated as one of the 150 women that have shaken the world by Newsweek and The Daily Beast. Castro has been acknowledged worldwide through her efforts to advocate women's rights.
Panmela Castro formed Rede Nami, an urban network where female urban artist raises awareness on gender inequality through public art, graffiti, and workshops in Rio. Rede Nami also provides workshops in Brazil for women and girls, teaching them about domestic violence and teaching them about graffiti art.

Awards

In March 2010 Panmela Castro was awarded The DVF Award for being an extraordinary women fighting for change for women's rights.
In 2013, she was listed as one of the World Economic Forum's Young Global Leaders.