CEPIA conducts studies and research projects in education, public policy, and social participation; results are disseminated widely throughout society. It also organises seminars, meetings, conferences, and ongoing conversations between participants in social movements, health professionals, trade union members, NGO personnel, opinion leaders, and those responsible for policies within the organisation. CEPIA also proposes, reaffirms, and supports claims on behalf of the women's movement and the international commitments made by the Brazilian Government.

Since 1994, CEPIA has designed several TV campaigns covering issues like HIV/AIDS and human rights that are broadcast by the country's main channels. It has also produced some radio commercials and educational videos.

Some of CEPIA's specific programmes include "Proyecto de Ciudadanía de las Mujeres (Women Citizenship Project)", "Proyecto de Reproducción de Videos Educativos/informativos sobre Salud y VIH/SIDA (HIV/AIDS Educational/Informative Video Copying Project)", and "Proyecto de Sensibilización de Funcionarios del Area de Seguridad Pública: un Diálogo con la Policía, apoyados por entidades gubernamentales y multilaterales (Sensitizing Project for Public Health Staff: a Dialog with the Police, supported by government and multilateral entities)".

Rights, HIV/AIDS, Health, Reproductive Rights, Sexuality, Conflict, Justice, Economic Development, Labour, and Women.

From its inception, CEPIA has received support from different institutions such as Ford Foundation, MacArthur Foundation, FNUAP, UNICEF, UNIFEM, European Commission, and the Brazilian Health Ministry HIV/AIDS Program.