Brazil Strengthens Legal and Institutional Measures to Combat Political Violence Against Women

Brazil is taking significant strides to address the ongoing challenge of political violence against women, an issue that severely limits female political participation and undermines democracy. Despite women comprising 53% of the electorate in Bahia and significant percentages nationwide, their representation remains low—only 17.7% in the Câmara dos Deputados and 12.3% in the Senate post-2022 elections.

The criminalization of gender-based political violence through Law 14.192/2021 marked a pivotal step. This law, enacted on August 4, 2021, amended the Electoral Code, imposing prison sentences from 1 to 4 years for offenses intended to impede women's political rights, with longer sentences for vulnerable victims. Between August 2021 and November 2022, 112 cases were reported to the Federal Public Ministry, yet only 7% led to formal charges by 2023, illustrating the difficulty of enforcement.

Further progress came on August 19, 2026, when the Supreme Federal Court (STF) unanimously extended protections under the Lei Maria da Penha to cover all forms of gender-based violence, including political contexts. This landmark ruling allows for protective measures such as restraining orders and electronic monitoring against gender-based political violence.

To complement these legal advances, the Regional Electoral Court of Bahia (TRE-BA) inaugurated the Núcleo de Prevenção e Enfrentamento à Violência Política contra a Mulher on August 21, 2026. This specialized unit aims to provide educational programs, a channel for reporting violence, and conduct research on political violence against women. TRE-BA President Maurício Kertzman Szporer stressed, "When a woman is threatened for occupying a position of power, democracy itself is under attack," underscoring the broader democratic implications.

Analyses reveal deep disparities between Brazil's political representatives and its electorate, especially in terms of gender and race. The prevalence of political violence and insufficient investigation—only one in four cases receives scrutiny—signals systemic barriers. Comparative studies show Brazil lags behind countries like Bolivia and Mexico in legal protections for women in politics, highlighting an urgent need for enhanced frameworks and cultural change.

As Brazil moves forward, the introduction of Project Law 2341/2024 seeks to establish urgent protective measures tailored for political violence against women, reflecting growing recognition of this threat to democratic integrity. The TRE-BA's Nucleus, with its multidisciplinary and interinstitutional approach, represents a practical effort to support women during and beyond electoral cycles.

The convergence of judicial rulings, legislative initiatives, and institutional mechanisms presents a comprehensive response to political violence against women, aiming to foster safer political participation and a more inclusive democracy.