Brazil Addresses Political Violence Against Women at 5th ONMP Meeting
The 5th ONMP meeting in Brasília highlighted research and initiatives combating political violence against women and promoting their representation in Brazilian politics.
- • The 5th ONMP meeting focused on women's legislative actions and political gender violence.
- • Deputy Erika Kokay emphasized combating underrepresentation and political violence against women.
- • EU Ambassador Marian Schuegraf advocated for international collaboration against gender violence, especially online.
- • Research presented showed women's presence influences legislative agendas on women's rights.
- • Ongoing studies aid civil society and Parliament in monitoring gender issues in politics.
Key details
On December 10, the 5th edition of the National Observatory of Women in Politics (ONMP) meeting took place in Brasília, focusing on the legislative actions of state deputies and addressing gender-based political violence, especially in media spaces. The event, held at the Chamber of Deputies Auditorium, coincided with the conclusion of the Women's Secretariat's participation in the 21 Days of Activism against violence towards women and marked the resumption of ONMP activities supported by a partnership with the European Union Delegation in Brazil and the University of Brasília's Institute of Political Science (IPOL/UnB).
Deputy Erika Kokay (PT-DF), who helped fund the research through a federal budget amendment, highlighted the importance of empowering women and confronting political gender violence reflected in their underrepresentation in parliament and power spaces. Kokay emphasized the need to identify and dismantle "invisible burqas and gags" and "glass ceilings" to increase women's participation in all power sectors. EU Ambassador Marian Schuegraf underscored the ongoing harsh reality of gender violence in Brazil and worldwide, stressing the necessity for continued dialogue and collaboration, particularly around combating digital gender violence such as cyberstalking.
Key presentations included research led by ONMP coordinator Ana Cláudia Oliveira on digital political violence and campaigns aimed at raising public awareness and training journalists and influencers. Other studies discussed during the meeting revealed the impact of journalistic discourse on women during elections and how women legislators shape policy agendas. A study by the Flora Tristán Center (IPOL/UnB) analyzed legislative initiatives from 2019 to 2022 by both state and federal deputies, highlighting how women's presence correlates with legislative attention to women's rights issues, including violence, reproductive health, and labor rights. This ongoing research, expected to conclude in 2026, also sheds light on bipartisan coalitions and regional disparities, providing civil society and parliament with tools to monitor legislative activities more effectively.
The full session was made accessible on the Chamber of Deputies' YouTube channel, reflecting an open approach to disseminating knowledge on these critical gender-based political issues. This gathering represents a significant step forward in Brazil's efforts to combat political violence against women and strengthen female political participation.
This article was synthesized and translated from native language sources to provide English-speaking readers with local perspectives.