Entrepreneuring as a woman in Brazil is a challenge. Our entrepreneurs start their businesses, create jobs, lead teams, raise children, and take care of the home, facing a double or triple journey, almost always very exhausting, which ends up compromising emotional balance and mental health.
Many female entrepreneurs started to pay attention to this situation a few years ago, when their employees began to experience depression, be sidelined due to burnout, or suffer from anxiety crises. To bring a broader and more human perspective to health, in 2020 the Ministry of Labor amended NR-1, which, starting from its implementation on May 25, 2026, will include psychosocial risks such as stress, harassment, emotional overload, and burnout in the list of legal obligations for companies.
A new standard requires employers to consider workers' emotional and mental well-being when promoting a healthier, more balanced, and conscious work culture, where caring for mental health is as important as ensuring physical safety. This applies to entrepreneurs of all sizes, those who have stores, beauty salons, restaurants, companies, or any other type of business.
NR-1 will require all companies — including small ones — to map workplace risks, such as accidents or hazardous products, and emotional risks, such as stress, constant pressure, excessive responsibilities, moral harassment, and mental exhaustion, in order to reduce cases of depression, anxiety, suicide, and burnout in the workplace.
In addition to ensuring the well-being of employees, the "Women Entrepreneurs and Their Businesses 2023" survey, conducted by the Rede Mulher Empreendedora Institute (IRME), offers a perspective on women who are entrepreneurs. She points out that more than half of Brazilian female entrepreneurs also face anxiety crises and one-third have symptoms of depression or other mental health issues.
To contribute to the well-being of women entrepreneurs, they can rely on the CMEC – Women's Entrepreneurial and Cultural Council – an organization of CACB, FACESP, and ACSP – which has more than 900 councils across the country, where they can train, receive support, and share their experiences with other women facing the same challenges, helping them feel valued and welcomed so they can build a lighter and healthier way of entrepreneurship.
Regarding the changes that will be implemented with the new NR-1, it is essential that entrepreneurs and their teams are informed about the law available on the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) website.www.gov.br/workthat provides the updated NR-1 and answers questions about the subject.
Ana Claudia Badra CotaitHe is the president of CMEC – The National Council of Women Entrepreneurs and Culture – an organ of the São Paulo Commercial Association (ACSP), the Federation of Commercial Associations of the State of São Paulo (FACESP), and the Confederation of Commercial and Business Associations of Brazil (CACB) – which acts as a reference forum for studies, debates, and inspirations for women entrepreneurs, in addition to developing actions, campaigns, and social and cultural projects. It also serves as a tool for female leaders to discuss their problems and present proposals that mobilize the business community and organized society. It has more than 900 women's councils across Brazil.
