Brazil Election: Lula And Flavio Bolsonaro Court Women With Safety Promises

With Brazil's October 4 presidential election days away, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senator Flavio Bolsonaro are courting women voters with rival plans to tackle gender-based violence, a major campaign issue as attacks on women reach record levels.

Women make up 53 per cent of the electorate and were considered important to Lula's narrow 2022 victory over Flavio's father, former President Jair Bolsonaro. Polls show Lula with a narrow lead, although neither candidate is expected to win outright, making a runoff likely.

Flavio has adopted a tough-on-crime pitch. At a recent campaign stop, he held an oversized knife while promising chemical castration for “rapists and child abusers”. He has also proposed expanding shelters for victims and creating an AI assistant to help them file reports, seek protective orders and receive guidance.

Lula has pledged to expand protections introduced during his administration, including real-time monitoring of offenders wearing electronic ankle bracelets. Speaking at last week's UN General Assembly, he said Brazil was building a country “free of femicide” where women would not live under the threat of violence.

More than one in three Brazilian women experienced sexual or gender-based violence over a year, according to a 2025 Brazilian Forum on Public Safety report, the highest level since tracking began in 2017. The forum recorded 1,571 femicides in 2025, the highest annual total since Brazil defined the crime in 2015.

Cases drawing condemnation include the alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old in Copacabana, the death of a woman allegedly dragged one kilometre beneath her former boyfriend's car, and the alleged killing of a military police officer by her husband.

Both candidates back tougher penalties, which require parliamentary approval. Feminist groups want guarantees on funding, enforcement and implementation, including support for a bill criminalising misogyny, education programmes and stronger protections.

Women also remain underrepresented politically. They hold only about 19 per cent of congressional seats, while the number of female candidates for Brazil's lower house fell 24 per cent in 2026 from 2022.

Political scientist Marlise Miriam de Matos Almeida said feminist movements increasingly seek to turn women's electoral influence into greater representation. Activists also cite political violence and limited resources as barriers.

Rachel Ripani of Levante Mulheres Vivas said women were increasingly aware of their electoral power. “The priority for this election is voting for more women who fight for women,” she said.