From Parliament to the Courts: Impacts and Responses to Gender-Based Political Violence

Gender-based political violence refers to a mechanism used to silence and exclude women from the political sphere. It encompasses explicit acts such as physical aggression resulting in bodily harm or even femicide, as well as more "invisible" forms that are often dismissed or delegitimized by public opinion. Political violence against women has emerged as a global concern, with particular attention on Latin America—a region recognized as a pioneer in developing legislation on this issue. This study analyzed gender-based political violence through the narratives of 50 female parliamentarians elected in 2020 and 2022 in Brazil, aiming to examine its dynamics and characteristics. It also investigated how the Brazilian justice system prevents and responds to such violence, drawing on interviews with public officials and an analysis of all criminal proceedings initiated in the country under the new criminal offense established by a 2021 Federal Law on gender-based political violence. The findings reveal both personal and institutional impacts of political violence. Also, legal advancements, such as the approval of a law that criminalizes gender-based political violence and the imposition of relevant sanctions as the loss of mandate by parliamentarians prosecuted for this crimes. Nontheless, significant challenges remain in recognizing and effectively punishing these practices.