Brazil Launches 'Zap Delas' and Holds Event to Tackle Women's Political Challenges and Violence
Brazil advances women's political participation and safety with the launch of 'Zap Delas' and a key political event addressing challenges faced by women in politics.
- • The Senate launched ‘Zap Delas’, a WhatsApp-based tool for reporting political violence against women.
- • The TRE-PR event discussed challenges and solutions for women in politics, including enforcement of gender quotas.
- • Senator Augusta Brito leads the ‘Zap Delas’ initiative, supporting victims through tailored assistance.
- • Experts highlighted the minimal progress despite existing programs and the importance of legal protections under Law No. 14.192/2021.
Key details
On October 22, 2025, two significant initiatives highlighted Brazil's efforts to enhance women's political participation and combat political gender violence. The Brazilian Senate launched the 'Zap Delas' program, a pioneering tool enabling women to report incidents of political violence via WhatsApp. Spearheaded by Senator Augusta Brito and the Procuradoria Especial da Mulher, the initiative aims to provide a secure and accessible platform to address threats, intimidation, and digital attacks targeting women in politics. Users can report incidents through the dedicated number (61) 98309-0025, with support from a specialized team ensuring a humanized approach, as detailed by the Senate and highlighted by President Davi Alcolumbre during the launch session (IDs 112255, 112247).
Simultaneously, the Regional Electoral Court of Paraná (TRE-PR) hosted an event titled "Vozes femininas na política: desafios e perspectivas" to reflect on and propose solutions for the challenges women face in political arenas. The event featured discussions on the enforcement of gender quotas, combating political violence through Law No. 14.192/2021, and the ongoing obstacles faced by women candidates. Judge Sigurd Roberto Bengtsson emphasized the importance of gender quotas and initiatives against political violence, while Flavia da Costa Viana from the Supreme Federal Court pointed out the minimal progress in women's representation despite six years of the "Mulheres na Política" program. Experts including legal professionals and politicians debated protocols such as the Protocol against Gender Quota Fraud and highlighted the critical role of Women's Prosecutor's Offices in supporting and protecting women in politics (ID 112248).
Together, these efforts underscore Brazil's commitment to fostering safer, more equitable political participation for women, addressing structural barriers, and improving legal and social frameworks. The simultaneous launch of 'Zap Delas' and the thought-provoking TRE-PR event mark concrete steps towards these goals as the country approaches upcoming elections.