Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival isn’t a celebration for everyone as 48% of women are sexually harassed and assaulted every year during the event. And in a country where pepper spray is over regulated, illegal to sell, and unaffordable for many too many women are left defenseless in the face of these attacks. Papo, one of Brazil’s most renowned female empowerment media outlets, wanted to change that.

Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival isn’t a celebration for everyone as 48% of women are sexually harassed and assaulted every year during the event. And in a country where pepper spray is overregulated, illegal to sell, and unaffordable for many too many women are left defenseless in the face of these attacks. Papo, one of Brazil’s most renowned female empowerment media outlets, wanted to change that. Introducing Self-Defense Sauce: Turning a household item into a stealthy self-defense innovation to protect women. The main ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, which is also the chemical that makes hot peppers spicy. After 8 months of development and testing to overcome challenges like clogging and to mimic reach and of real pepper spray. We created an adaptable nozzle that fits most of the popular hot sauce brands.

Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival isn’t a celebration for everyone as 48% of women are sexually harassed and assaulted every year during the event. And in a country where pepper spray is over regulated, illegal to sell, and unaffordable for many too many women are left defenseless in the face of these attacks.The main ingredient in pepper spray is capsaicin, which is also the chemical that makes hot peppers spicy. After 8 months of development and testing to overcome challenges like clogging and to mimic reach and of real pepper spray. We created an adaptable nozzle that fits most of the popular hot sauce brands. Because hot sauce is accessible and affordable to Brazilians, we knew if we could transform it into pepper spray, we could outsmart regulations to help women defend themselves. One day before Carnival, dozens of promoters distributed the nozzles targeting women discreetly with our stealthy campaign that used a butterfly metaphor to keep our message hidden from perpetrators. Ten thousand nozzles and label stickers distributed, making 10,000 women safer. Two million hyper-targeted hidden messages delivered by Carnival influencers through instagram stories. 38% decrease in crimes against women.

We created an adaptable nozzle that fits most of the popular hot sauce brands. Because hot sauce is accessible and affordable to Brazilians, we knew if we could transform it into pepper spray, we could outsmart regulations to help women defend themselves. One day before Carnival, dozens of promoters distributed the nozzles targeting women discreetly with our stealthy campaign that used a butterfly metaphor to keep our message hidden from perpetrators. And the results were on fire: Ten thousand nozzles and label stickers distributed, making 10,000 women safer. Two million hyper-targeted hidden messages delivered by Carnival influencers through instagram stories. No PR outreach to keep our message hidden from perpetrators and a 38% decrease in crimes against women.

We created an adaptable nozzle that fits most of the popular hot sauce brands. Because hot sauce is accessible and affordable to Brazilians, we knew if we could transform it into pepper spray, we could outsmart regulations to help women defend themselves. One day before Carnival, dozens of promoters distributed the nozzles targeting women discreetly with our stealthy campaign that used a butterfly metaphor to keep our message hidden from perpetrators. And the results were on fire: Ten thousand nozzles and label stickers distributed, making 10,000 women safer. Two million hyper-targeted hidden messages delivered by Carnival influencers through instagram stories. No PR outreach to keep our message hidden from perpetrators and a 38% decrease in crimes against women.

We created an adaptable nozzle that fits most of the popular hot sauce brands. Because hot sauce is accessible and affordable to Brazilians, we knew if we could transform it into pepper spray, we could outsmart regulations to help women defend themselves. One day before Carnival, dozens of promoters distributed the nozzles targeting women discreetly with our stealthy campaign that used a butterfly metaphor to keep our message hidden from perpetrators. And the results were on fire: Ten thousand nozzles and label stickers distributed, making 10,000 women safer. Two million hyper-targeted hidden messages delivered by Carnival influencers through instagram stories. No PR outreach to keep our message hidden from perpetrators and a 38% decrease in crimes against women.

One day before Carnival, dozens of promoters distributed the nozzles--targeting women discreetly with our stealthy campaign that used a butterfly metaphor to keep our message hidden from perpetrators. And the results were on fire:

Ten thousand nozzles and label stickers were distributed, making 10,000 women safer*

Two million hyper-targeted hidden messages delivered by Carnival influencers through Instagram Stories

No PR outreach (to keep our message hidden from perpetrators)

A 38% decrease in crimes against women.

*Efficacy of pepper spray versus Self-Defense Sauce was almost the same, giving the target more than 20 minutes of stinging, burning, tearing and redness, and temporary blindness. In Brazil, pepper spray is still over-regulated, illegal to sell, and--even when found online--can be very expensive.

Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival isn’t a celebration for everyone as 48% of women are sexually harassed and assaulted every year during the event. And in a country where pepper spray is over regulated, illegal to sell, and unaffordable for many too many women are left defenseless in the face of these attacks.