Authoritarian Right Populist and Gender: Education and Healthcare Policies Under Bolsonaro's Government in Brazil

Many researchers have explored the rise of radical right-wing politicians, including populists, across various countries. These studies highlight their impact on public policies, often through dismantling programs, cutting resources, restricting access, or altering policy instruments. Conversely, other research suggests that radical right-wing politicians and governments have, in some cases, supported robust welfare states, albeit with a narrower scope, focusing on welfare policies for so-called "deserving" groups, thereby diminishing their universalistic character. Regarding gender issues, populist radical-right leaders have often pushed back against policies that promote women’s and LGBTQIA+ rights and sexual and reproductive rights. Nonetheless, they have incorporated women’s and family issues into public policies in various ways. This study aims to contribute to this debate by examining policy dismantling related to gender and reproductive issues during the administration of Jair Bolsonaro (2019–2022), a right-wing populist leader in Brazil. Using a historical and qualitative approach, we analyzed data from documents, including legislation and government reports, and semi-structured interviews with federal government officials. Under Bolsonaro’s leadership, Brazil witnessed significant shifts in family and gender policies. On one front, there was a backlash against progressive gender and sexual and reproductive rights policies. The government implemented organizational changes, dismantled federal agencies, and weakened national programs and campaigns addressing gender issues in healthcare and education. On another front, Bolsonaro’s administration introduced new policies that appealed to women by emphasizing traditional and religious perspectives on biological sex, portraying women primarily as mothers and wives, and positioning the family as the cornerstone of social policies.