{"id":83838,"date":"2026-08-04T20:39:14","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T23:39:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=83838"},"modified":"2026-08-04T20:39:14","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T23:39:14","slug":"no-power-is-authentic-when-it-is-based-on-exclusion-and-silencing-gender-based-political-violence-against-black-women-in-brazil-opinion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=83838","title":{"rendered":"No Power Is Authentic When It Is Based on Exclusion and Silencing: Gender-Based Political Violence Against Black Women in Brazil [OPINION]"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"A<\/a>
A protester holds a sunflower, a symbol of remembrance and resistance, in honor of Marielle Franco. Photo: Alexandre Cerqueira<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

This article is part of a series on the\u00a02026 Brazilian elections<\/a>, focusing on the perspectives of Greater Rio\u2019s favelas.<\/em><\/p>\n

Brazilian democracy still suffers from deep-seated forms of exclusion that limit the full participation<\/a> of certain social groups. Among the most urgent challenges is political violence based on gender<\/a> and race directed at Black women\u2014a practice that has become one of the most severe forms of silencing Black women in Brazil.<\/p>\n

Despite some advances<\/a> in representation<\/a>, Black women continue to face structural barriers that cut across political parties, public institutions and the social fabric itself. These are not isolated incidents, but a systematic phenomenon rooted in the historical foundations of structural racism<\/a> and misogyny<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Misogynoir: The Intersection of Racism and Misogyny<\/b><\/h3>\n

Recent data point to an alarming situation: Black women are disproportionately targeted<\/a> by attacks in political spaces, both in person and on social media<\/a>. The political violence<\/a> directed at them is not occasional: it is ongoing, systematic and often made invisible.<\/p>\n

This type of violence works through attacks on these women\u2019s credibility, public image and legitimacy, with the aim of keeping them out of spaces of power and decision-making.<\/p>\n

The concept of misogynoir<\/a>, developed by researcher Moya Bailey<\/a>, helps us understand the specific nature of these forms of violence. The term describes the unique ways in which Black women are simultaneously targeted by racism and misogyny.<\/p>\n

More than the sum of these forms of oppression, it is a synergistic force that produces deeper and more violent consequences. In practice, misogynoir acts as<\/a> a mechanism of political delegitimization and exclusion, reinforcing the idea that certain bodies do not belong in positions of power.<\/p>\n

New Frontiers of Violence Beyond Politics<\/h3>\n

On social media, political violence has taken on new dimensions. Hate speech, coordinated disinformation campaigns, the exposure of personal data (doxing<\/a>) and the use of technologies such as deepfakes<\/a> (fake but realistic images) together form a hostile digital ecosystem.<\/p>\n

The scope of these attacks has broadened and their impact has intensified, affecting not only these women\u2019s public activities but also their private lives. The goal is clear: to intimidate them, wear them down emotionally and silence them.<\/p>\n

The consequences of this violence are profound and multifaceted. Black women in politics report self-censorship, psychological distress and, in many cases, stepping down from office or withdrawing their candidacies. As shown in the Study on Political Violence Based on Gender and Race in the Digital Sphere<\/em><\/a>, published in 2025 by the Marielle Franco Institute, digital political violence against Black women \u201cis the norm, not the exception.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"International<\/a>
International Women’s Day 2022 demonstration in Cinel\u00e2ndia, downtown Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Jaqueline Suarez<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Councilwoman Thais Ferreira<\/a>\u2019s journey is a striking illustration of this reality. A Black woman from Rio’s peripheries, she entered politics after experiencing obstetric racism<\/a>\u2014a form of violence that knows no bounds<\/a> and resulted in the loss of her child<\/a> at nine months’ gestation.<\/p>\n

Today, as chair of the Commission to Combat and Prevent Political Violence Against Women<\/a>, Ferreira uses her office to denounce the many forms of silencing faced by Black women and women from Rio’s peripheral areas. Her experience, however, also highlights the high cost of this work.<\/p>\n

After enduring constant threats, the city councilwoman describes the direct impact on her personal and family life. The toll on the health of her mother, her partner and her son\u2014who experienced instances of political violence at school even as a child\u2014reveals how these attacks go beyond the institutional sphere and affect the most intimate aspects of her life.<\/p>\n

In decision-making spaces, Black people are still seen as those who \u201cdon’t fit in.\u201d This symbolic exclusion is reflected even in the difficulty in accessing campaign funding<\/a>, widening existing inequalities between Black and white people and undermining the electoral prospects of Black candidates\u2014especially Black women.<\/p>\n

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Um post compartilhado por Tadeu Ka\u00e7ula (@t_kacula)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n