Gender Political Violence in Santa Catarina
Abstract
Over the past decade, political violence has increased significantly in Brazil, manifesting both on the streets and online, hindering the inclusion of diverse voices in formal politics (Anjos et al., 2022; Stabile, 2022). Among these forms of aggression, gender-based political violence (GPV) stands out, aiming to prevent women's participation in politics through threats, defamation, and verbal, physical, and psychological attacks (Albaine, 2016). A recent case that gained prominence is that of Maria Tereza Capra (PT), who, after denouncing a protest allegedly involving Nazi salutes in November 2022, faced a process of mandate revocation, death threats, and persecution that forced her to leave her city temporarily — a clear instance of gender-based political violence. In this context, this article aims to discuss the rise of the far-right in Santa Catarina’s political landscape and its connection to the gender-based political violence experienced by Maria Tereza Capra, analyzing both the protest she denounced and the manner in which her mandate was revoked. To achieve this, an interview was conducted with the councilwoman. Additionally, oral history methodology, bibliographic research, and an analysis of printed and online media coverage of the episode were employed. Preliminary findings indicate a strong link between gender-based political violence and the rise of far-right ideologies at the state level.