Rising Political Violence Targeting Women, Especially Black Women, Marks Brazil's 2026 Elections

As Brazil approaches the final stages of its 2026 electoral campaign, alarming levels of political violence against women have come to light, with Black women disproportionately affected. Human rights organizations Terra de Direitos and Justiça Global report 134 documented cases of political violence in recent months, averaging one incident every nine hours during the campaign period, reflecting a notable increase from 121 cases during the 2022 elections.

Women constitute over half of these victims, with 52.2% of the incidents targeting them specifically. Among the 102 cases reported in a detailed study, 60 involved women candidates, including cisgender, transgender, and travesti women. These attacks frequently bear elements of misogyny, racism, and transfobia and are especially prevalent in virtual spaces where online harassment fosters an atmosphere of impunity.

An emblematic case is that of Ana Elisa, a 21-year-old Black woman recently elected as a federal deputy from Minas Gerais, who has publicly denounced threats of death, sexual violence, and the exposure of her personal data. Gisele Barbieri, coordinator of Terra de Direitos, highlighted that such violence represents significant barriers to female political participation in Brazil, where women hold less than 20% representation in legislative houses. She further emphasized the intersectional nature of the attacks, noting the particularly severe and persistent violence faced by Black women in politics.

The hostile environment also extends to simultaneous threats against multiple politicians; notably, 24 deputies received death threats on the same day during the campaign. Most violent incidents have taken place in public spaces, but the digital realm remains a critical frontline for aggression. Despite the severity and frequency of these attacks — including threats, offenses, and physical assaults — no perpetrators have yet been brought to justice.

States such as São Paulo, Rio Grande do Norte, Minas Gerais, and Rio Grande do Sul are the most affected. Observers advocate for stronger regulatory measures against online political violence and the establishment of governmental task forces to protect candidates and ensure safer political participation for women.