The Federative Pact and Prevention Policies to Face Violence Against Women: A Compared Approach Between Brazil and Australia

Abstract

This article explores how understanding the Federative Pact models adopted by Brazil and Australia affects differently the formulation and implementation of public policies, leading to distinct outcomes and accountability of policy makers. When comparing gender-based violence prevention policies, it becomes evident that a centralized model as applied in Brazil seems to be less effective as the decentralized approach adopted in Australia. The autonomy attributed to the federal units have a direct impact in the responsibility and accountability of public policies implemented in a territory. The intention of this debate is to raise awareness of experts and policy makers reg arding the ways in which the federative pact impact the implementation of public policies, the accountability of states and the federal government, as well as the effectiveness of results achieve nationally based on locally implemented activities.