Journal of Medical and Clinical Nursing Studies

Political Gender Violence Against Women in Brazil

Tricia Bogossian

Specialist in Adult Intensive Care Nursing and Neonatal Nursing by UERJ and Occupational Nursing (UFRJ), Santa Ursula University in Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil

Corresponding author
Tricia Bogossian, Specialist in Adult Intensive Care Nursing and Neonatal Nursing by UERJ and Occupational Nursing (UFRJ), Santa Ursula University in Rio de Janeiro-RJ, Brazil.

ABSTRACT
Political gender violence against women is a specific form of violence that occurs in the political context, characterized by the use of gender stereotypes and prejudices to limit women’s access to spaces of political power. This form of violence has serious consequences for democracy, security, and economic and social development. To tackle political gender-based violence against women, it is necessary to adopt effective measures to prevent and punish it, as well as to promote gender equality and the full participation of women in politics and public life. Promoting education and awareness about gender equality and creating support networks for women involved in politics are some of the actions that can be adopted to combat this form of violence and build a more just and egalitarian society. This article aims to discuss political gender violence against women in Brazil. The type of research to be carried out in this work was a Literature Review, in which books, dissertations and scientific articles were consulted.

Keywords: Political Violence, Women, Gender

Introduction
The discussion on political gender violence against women is essential to promote gender equality and women’s political participation in Brazil. By understanding the causes, forms and consequences of this form of violence, it is possible to develop strategies and public policies aimed at its prevention and eradication.

For this purpose, bibliographical references that approach the theme from different perspectives will be used, including studies on the political representation of women in Brazil, the persistence of gender stereotypes in Brazilian society and the use of political violence as a way of disqualifying the performance of women. women in politics.

Gender political violence against women is an increasingly present topic on the agenda of political and social debates in Brazil. It is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon, which involves the use of various forms of violence to disqualify and impede women’s political action. In the last 10 years, political gender violence against women has been the subject of studies and analyzes by researchers and activists, who seek to understand its causes, forms and consequences [1].

In this sense, this article intends to contribute to the debate on political gender violence against women in Brazil, offering an updated and reasoned analysis on a topic that represents a major challenge for the consolidation of democracy and gender equality in the country.
This article aims to discuss political gender violence against women in Brazil.

The type of research to be carried out in this work was a Literature Review, in which books, dissertations and scientific articles were consulted.

Historical Evolution of Women in Politics
The historical evolution of women in politics is marked by a long and arduous process of struggle for rights and representation. In Brazil, women gained the right to vote in 1932, but it was only from the 1980s onwards that women began to hold elected office in greater numbers [1].

In the 1980s, with the re-democratization of the country, there was a significant increase in women’s participation in politics, especially in social movements and feminist organizations. However, women’s access to more representative political positions, such as the Executive and Legislative, was still limited [2].

It was only in the 1990s that women began to conquer more expressive spaces in Brazilian politics. In 1992, councilor Luiza Erundina became the first woman to be elected mayor of a Brazilian capital, São Paulo. In the same year, Senator Benedita da Silva was the first black woman to take a seat in the Federal Senate.

In the 2000s, there was a significant increase in the number of women elected to political office across the country. In 2010, President Dilma Rousseff was elected as the first woman to occupy the Presidency of the Republic in Brazil [3].
Currently, despite the advances made by women in politics, there is still a long way to go to achieve gender equality and the full representation of women in spaces of political power. Women are still under-represented in politics, especially in more representative positions, such as governors, mayors, federal deputies and senators.

For Landerdahl and Roso the historical evolution of women in politics in Brazil is marked by a long process of struggle for rights and representation [4]. Despite the advances made in recent decades, there are still significant challenges to be faced in order to guarantee gender equality and the full participation of women in politics.

One of the main obstacles to women’s full participation in politics is the persistence of gender stereotypes and the culture of machismo in Brazilian society. These stereotypes are often reproduced in the political environment, creating barriers to women’s participation and hindering their access to more representative positions [5].

In addition, gender-based political violence against women is also a significant obstacle to women’s political participation in Brazil. Gender political violence includes various forms of violence, such as sexual harassment, defamation and physical violence, and is used to disqualify women’s political activities and prevent their access to spaces of political power.

To address these challenges, it is necessary to promote gender equality and women’s full participation in politics. This can be done through specific public policies to combat political gender violence against women, as well as awareness and education actions on gender equality and women’s political participation [6].

The authors Noremberg and Antonello understand that [6]:
In addition to the effectiveness of public policies aimed at reducing gender asymmetries, to the condition that there is a change in the profile of current institutionalization, it is necessary to recognize the influence of other structural factors in the reproduction and expansion of these asymmetries: socio-demographic changes that interfere with the job profile; changes in the role of the State in the globalized world; the challenges posed by racial/ethnic diversity; the changes that have been taking place in the family structure with the multiple family arrangements, and also, the changes in the traditional pattern of the sexual division of labor and in the patterns of sexuality, among others [6].

It is essential that women have access to training and capacity building spaces for the exercise of politics, as well as adequate resources and financing for their electoral campaigns. Promoting the participation and representation of women in politics is essential for building a more just, democratic and egalitarian society [7].

Another important measure for promoting women’s participation in politics is the implementation of gender quotas for holding political office. Quotas are an affirmative measure that aims to guarantee the minimum representation of women and men in spaces of political power. In Brazil, there are currently gender quotas for holding elected positions at various levels, such as the 30% quota for women in proportional elections for deputies and councilors [8].
Furthermore, it is important to encourage women’s participation in social movements and political organizations, as well as support the creation of networks and initiatives to support women’s political participation.

Political Gender Violence Against Women
Gender-based political violence against women is a specific form of violence that takes place in the political context and targets women who engage in political activities. This form of violence is characterized by the use of gender stereotypes and prejudices to disqualify women’s political activities and limit their access to spaces of political power.

Political gender violence against women can take many forms, from defamation and disqualification to physical and sexual violence. In addition, this form of violence may include restricting women’s access to resources and financing for their political campaigns, as well as the use of discriminatory and prejudiced attitudes to delegitimize women’s role in politics [9].

Among the main consequences of gender-based political violence against women are the restriction of women’s political participation, the destabilization of democratic institutions and the threat to women’s security. In addition, this form of violence can have significant economic and social impacts, limiting women’s opportunities for personal and professional development and harming the country’s economic and social development [7].

In order to tackle gender-based political violence against women, it is necessary to adopt effective measures to prevent and punish it, as well as to promote gender equality and the full participation of women in politics and public life. This may include the adoption of specific laws and public policies to combat gender-based political violence, as well as the implementation of awareness and education actions on gender equality and women’s political participation.

Political gender-based violence against women is a specific form of violence that takes place in the political context and has serious consequences for democracy, security, and economic and social development. It is necessary to combat this form of violence through effective measures of prevention and punishment, as well as the promotion of gender equality and the full participation of women in politics and public life.

Furthermore, it is important to highlight that gender-based political violence against women has deep roots in the patriarchal culture that still permeates many societies. This culture of oppression and devaluation of women is reflected in politics, where women face additional barriers to participating and exercising their power fully and effectively [10].

To combat gender-based political violence against women, it is therefore necessary to challenge gender norms and promote equality between men and women in all areas of life, including politics. This may involve promoting gender equality education and awareness, creating support networks for women involved in politics, and adopting public policies that encourage and promote women’s participation and representation in politics [11].

It is also important that gender-based political violence against women is treated as a human rights issue, with effective action taken to prevent and punish this form of violence, as well as to ensure the safety and well-being of women involved in politics.

Political gender violence against women is a serious and complex problem that requires coordinated and effective actions to prevent and punish this form of violence, as well as to promote gender equality and the full participation of women in politics and public life.

Causes of Political Gender Violence Against Women
Gender-based political violence against women is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that has deep roots in Brazilian culture and social structure. Among the main causes of political gender violence against women in Brazil, the persistence of gender stereotypes and the lack of representation of women in spaces of political power stand out [12].

The causes of gender-based political violence against women are diverse and complex, with deep roots in Brazilian culture and social structure. Among the main causes of gender-based political violence against women, the following stand out:

1. Persistence of gender stereotypes: Even today, Brazilian society is marked by the persistence of gender stereotypes that establish different behavior and performance patterns for men and women. These stereotypes are often reproduced in the political sphere, where women are seen as less capable and less competent than men to perform political functions.
2. Lack of representation of women in spaces of political power: Despite advances in recent decades, women’s participation in Brazilian politics is still very limited, especially in highly representative positions. The under-representation of women in spaces of political power creates an environment conducive to political gender violence, since women who manage to break through these barriers face resistance and hostility from their male peers [13].
3. Culture of machismo and misogyny: Brazil is still a society deeply marked by machismo and misogyny, which are expressed in different ways, including gender-based political violence against women. This culture of discrimination and oppression of women creates a hostile and unfavorable environment for women’s political participation.
4. Lack of specific public policies: The absence of specific public policies to combat political gender violence against women is another important cause of this phenomenon. The lack of effective measures to prevent and punish political gender violence allows this form of violence to perpetuate and become increasingly common in the Brazilian political scenario [12].

The causes of political gender violence against women in Brazil are closely linked to the persistence of gender stereotypes, the lack of representation of women in political power spaces, the culture of machismo and misogyny, and the lack of specific public policies to combat it. to this phenomenon [2].

Furthermore, it is important to highlight that political gender violence against women is also related to the culture of impunity that prevails in Brazil in relation to gender violence in general. The lack of punishment for perpetrators and the ineffectiveness of the justice system in dealing with gender-based violence creates an enabling environment for gender-based political violence against women to continue to occur with impunity.

Another relevant aspect to be considered is the lack of education and awareness about gender equality and gender violence in general. Lack of information and lack of knowledge about these issues make it difficult to combat gender-based political violence against women, since women often do not identify these forms of violence as such and do not know how to denounce and combat them.

Addressing this form of violence requires a collective effort that involves implementing effective public policies, raising awareness and education about gender equality and gender-based violence, and promoting women’s participation and representation in politics.

Forms of Political Gender Violence Against Women
The forms of political gender violence against women are diverse and range from discriminatory and prejudiced attitudes to violent and criminal actions. Among the main forms of political gender violence against women, the following stand out [3]:

1. Defamation and defamation: Defamation and defamation are common forms of gender-based political violence against women. These forms of violence are used to discredit women’s political activities and delegitimize their participation in spaces of political power.
2. Moral and sexual harassment: Moral and sexual harassment are forms of political gender violence that can occur in different political environments, from the workplace to public debates and discussions. These forms of violence are used to destabilize and intimidate women who seek to participate in politics.
3. Physical violence: Physical violence is an extreme form of gender-based political violence against women, which can include physical assaults, threats of violence and murder. These forms of violence are used to eliminate women who represent a threat to male hegemony in spaces of political power.
4. Inequalities in access to resources: Inequalities in access to resources, such as financing electoral campaigns and access to spaces for political education and training, are other forms of gender-based political violence against women. Lack of resources and support can make it difficult for women to gain political office and prevent their full and effective participation in politics.
5. Gender stereotyping: Gender stereotyping is a form of political gender violence that manifests itself in the reproduction of sexist and discriminatory stereotypes about women. These stereotypes can disqualify women’s political activities and limit their access to spaces of political power.

The forms of political gender violence against women are diverse and complex, ranging from discriminatory and prejudiced attitudes to violent and criminal actions. To combat gender-based political violence against women, it is necessary to adopt effective prevention and punishment measures, as well as to promote awareness and education on gender equality and women’s political participation [1].

It is important to highlight that gender-based political violence against women has serious consequences for democracy and women’s political participation. Gender-based political violence can lead to discouragement and withdrawal of women from participating in politics, thus limiting the diversity of voices and perspectives in public debate [8].

Gender political violence can also affect the quality of political decisions, since women who are victims of this form of violence are often prevented from contributing their ideas and proposals to the public debate [14].

Therefore, it is essential that society and governments take effective measures to prevent and punish political gender violence against women. These measures should include the adoption of specific laws and public policies to combat gender-based political violence, as well as the implementation of awareness and education actions on gender equality and women’s political participation.

The Consequences of Political Gender Violence Against Women

The consequences of gender-based political violence against women are serious and can impact both victims and society as a whole. It is necessary to combat gender-based political violence through the adoption of effective prevention and punishment measures, as well as awareness raising and education on gender equality and women’s political participation. Only in this way will it be possible to guarantee an inclusive, representative and fair democracy for all people. Some of the main consequences are [9]:

1. Restricting Women’s Political Participation: Gender-based political violence can discourage women from participating in politics and limit the diversity of voices and perspectives in public debate. This can lead to the exclusion of important segments of society and inappropriate and unrepresentative political decision-making.
2. Difficulties in building a representative democracy: Political gender violence can undermine the building of a representative and inclusive democracy, in which all people have the right to participate and influence political decisions.
3. Damage to women’s mental and physical health: Political gender violence can have serious consequences for women’s mental and physical health, causing stress, depression, anxiety, physical illness and even death.
4. Destabilization of democratic institutions: Political gender-based violence can destabilize democratic institutions and undermine citizens’ trust in political and judicial systems.
5. Threat to Women’s Security: Political gender-based violence can pose a threat to the security of women, especially those involved in political activities and community leadership.

In addition to the consequences already mentioned, it is important to highlight that gender-based political violence against women also has significant economic and social impacts. Limiting women’s political participation can result in inappropriate or unbalanced public policies regarding gender issues, which can harm a country’s economic and social development [13].

Gender-based political violence can also negatively affect women’s health and well-being, leading to long-term consequences for their personal and professional lives. Gender-based political violence can limit women’s opportunities for education, work and personal development, which can result in a significant loss of human capital for society as a whole.

Conclusion
Political gender-based violence against women is a specific form of violence that takes place in the political context and has serious consequences for democracy, security, and economic and social development. This form of violence is characterized by the use of gender stereotypes and prejudices to disqualify women’s political activities and limit their access to spaces of political power.

In order to tackle gender-based political violence against women, it is necessary to adopt effective measures to prevent and punish it, as well as to promote gender equality and the full participation of women in politics and public life. This may involve promoting gender equality education and awareness, creating support networks for women involved in politics, and adopting public policies that encourage and promote women’s participation and representation in politics.

It is critical that society and governments take responsibility for ensuring that all people, regardless of gender, have the right to participate fully in politics and public life. Only then will it be possible to build a more just, egalitarian and democratic society, where the voice and participation of all people are valued and respected.

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