Brazil Intensifies Efforts to Combat Political Violence Against Women with Campaigns and Partnerships

Brazil is ramping up its fight against political violence targeted at women through a series of coordinated initiatives involving government bodies, international organizations, and civil society.

On July 8, the National Observatory of Women in Politics at the Chamber of Deputies, supported by the European Union Delegation in Brazil and UN Women, launched the 'Políticas Seguras nas Redes' (Safe Policies on Social Media) campaign to combat digital political violence against women. This initiative is designed to engage a broader audience and raise awareness about gender-based political violence in digital spaces using accessible language and the participation of digital influencers from diverse niches. The campaign highlights that such violence leads to the exclusion and silencing of women in public debates, impacting political participation and representation equity. Notably, Brazil criminalized gender political violence in 2021, imposing penalties including one to four years of imprisonment and fines for offenses such as threats and defamation against women in politics.

In support of the campaign, a virtual workshop will be held on July 16, led by journalist and researcher Thaís Fascina, focusing on the multifaceted nature of political violence against women. The workshop aims to emphasize the critical role of media and influencers in raising societal awareness and promote gender literacy among communication professionals. This event builds on a successful in-person session held in May and seeks to broaden outreach nationally through an online platform, offering free participation and certificates.

Additionally, on July 9, the Câmara Municipal de Belo Horizonte (CMBH) and the Public Ministry of Minas Gerais (MPMG) will formalize a one-year cooperation agreement to combat political violence, particularly targeting gender-based violence against councilors. The agreement facilitates the exchange of information and strategies to address threats such as those recently faced by councilor Juhlia Santos and others, including racist and homophobic attacks. CMBH’s President, Juliano Lopes, underscored a zero-tolerance stance towards intimidation against elected officials, supporting their rights to serve without fear.

Together, these initiatives underscore Brazil's commitment to curbing political violence against women by combining legal enforcement, public awareness, and institutional cooperation to create safer and more inclusive political environments.