New Initiatives in Brazil Aim to Combat Political Violence Against Women

In Brazil, recent efforts are intensifying to tackle political violence targeting women, focusing especially on digital violence and providing supportive resources to encourage women's political participation. These moves coincide with the 2026 electoral period and address an ongoing challenge for female politicians in the country.

In Curitiba, the City Council is evaluating a proposed law to create the "Observatório da Violência Política Digital de Gênero e/ou Raça contra Mulheres" (Observatory of Digital Political Violence Based on Gender and/or Race Against Women). Proposed by Councilwoman Vanda de Assis (PT), this observatory aims to monitor digital political violence—including dissemination of personal data, fake news, threats, and intimidation—that impedes women's political rights. The observatory will collect data from various public bodies such as security and social assistance departments to produce studies and reports that guide public policies. It will also promote educational campaigns to raise awareness about digital political violence. Assis highlights that such violence directly undermines female political participation and perpetuates the under-representation of women, especially Black women, in politics.

Parallelly, the Senate's Special Prosecutor’s Office for Women launched the "Guia da Candidata" (Candidate's Guide) to support women running for office. According to Senator Augusta Brito (PT-CE), political violence against women erodes women's intellectual presence and stifles their voices, often through digital platforms and moral discreditation. The guide provides practical advice on legal rights—such as access to party funds and media time—and strategies to cope with and report gender-based violence. It also addresses obstacles like "dummy candidacies" designed to manipulate female representation in elections. Additionally, the guide was presented alongside initial results from "ZAP Delas," a legal support hotline launched in October 2025 to assist victims of political violence, reinforcing adherence to Law No. 14.192/2021.

These institutional efforts aim to dismantle structural barriers facing women, particularly Black and LGBTQIA+ candidates, empowering them to participate more fully and safely in Brazil's political landscape. These initiatives mark important steps toward combating the invisibility and discrimination women encounter in politics and strengthening democracy through diverse representation.