Surge in Gendered Political Violence and Threats Against Female Politicians Marks Brazil’s 2026 Election

Brazil's 2026 electoral period has been marred by a significant rise in political violence, with female politicians facing an alarming increase in gendered and racially charged threats. Reports indicate that six re-elected black female state deputies received death threats shortly after the elections, underscoring the hostile environment for women in politics. Ana Elisa Santos Silva, a recently elected member of the Chamber of Deputies from Minas Gerais, publicly shared that she received racially motivated death threats even before her election. Similarly, Brisa Bracchi, a candidate from Rio Grande do Norte, was targeted with threats related to her bisexuality, including graphic descriptions of violence aimed at "curing" her sexual orientation.

Civil society organizations have taken notice of this disturbing trend, delivering a letter to the president of the Tribunal Superior Eleitoral (TSE) highlighting a 78% increase in reported gender-based and race-based political violence cases compared to the previous year—270 cases documented from January to October 2023 alone. Additionally, a study by the Instituto Marielle Franco recorded 77 incidents of digital political violence against women, often recalling the assassination of politician Marielle Franco as a chilling historical context.

Beyond the candidates themselves, political violence during this period claimed 18 lives and left 18 injured between October 5 and October 31, 2026. Most violence (92.3% of 379 recorded cases) targeted voters, campaign teams, and party committees rather than candidates, showing a shift to intimidation against political participants at large. Small towns with populations under 50,000 bore the brunt of deadly attacks, accounting for 61% of such incidents. Particularly grave is the situation for newly elected female politicians, who were involved in nearly half (14 of 29) of the gender-based violence reports involving candidates.

The violence also intensified after incumbent President Lula's reelection, including workplace harassment aimed at Lula supporters, leading to mass job threats and dismissals. Amid these challenges, female politicians like Ana Elisa have vowed not to be silenced; she has used social media to document threats and emphasize the critical need for women's voices in governance. Activists like Raimunda Nonata, a quilombo community leader facing death threats from agribusiness interests, highlight the intersectionality of gender, race, and environmental rights amid the current turbulence.

Experts cite Mary Beard’s analysis of misogyny in public discourse to frame these attacks not just as isolated incidents but part of a systemic attempt to marginalize women politically. Dani Monteiro, a political advocate, stated that these violent attacks threaten democracy itself, warning of the deepening crisis in Brazil's political landscape.

As Brazil navigates the post-election aftermath, the urgent need to address gendered political violence remains paramount to safeguard democratic participation and ensure the safety of elected officials and citizens alike.