Helena is a researcher and professor on Human Rights in Brazil. She has legal training and a Master´s Degree in International Human Rights Law from Essex University in the UK. She currently works in the Tuiuti University of Parana and is vice-president of the Committee for the Study of Gender Violence in the Order of Attorneys of Brazil Parana.

Helena has extensive experience with civil society organizations and the Inter-American Human Rights System. She was a human rights specialist at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the Office of the Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Expression. For five years she was the principal advocate of the Brazilian office of the Center for Justice and International Law (CEJIL). She has also worked in the Platform for Human Rights – Dhesca Brazil on issues regarding sexual and reproductive health.