The main goal of the Ministry is "[to] promote the equality between men and women and fight against any kind of prejudice and discrimination inherited from a patriarchal and excluding society."

[3] In 2010, the department was promoted to a cabinet-level,[4] acting in three fronts: Policies of Labour and Economic Authonomy of Women, Fight against Violence against Women and programs and acts in the areas of health, education, culture, political participation, gender equality and diversity.

[6] From 2016 to 2017, the National Secretariat was headed by former congresswoman Fátima Pelaes, member of the women wing of the Brazilian Democratic Movement (MDB).

[8] The program aims to facilitate the access to public services that guarantee the fight against domestic violence and women's economical authonomy.

The first unit, instituted by Ordinance 4/2015 of the Secretariat, was opened in February 2015 in Campo Grande, capital of Mato Grosso do Sul.