Underrepresentation of black women in Brazilian politics and the impact of affirmative actions in favor of black candidates implemented by the Electoral Justice system: advances and challenges

Abstract

This article analyzes whether the affirmative actions provided for in electoral legislation to provide legislative houses with greater representation and diversity, from the intersectional perspective of race and gender, changed the situation of underrepresentation of black women in the legislature, in the period from 2020 to 2022. Discusses the perspectives and challenges to be faced on the topic in the 2024 election and subsequent elections. Conducts qualitative research through analysis of Electoral Court decisions, relating to the abuse of economic power through the diversion of resources intended to promote diversity in candidacies and its intersection with race. It associates the data obtained with quantitative research to evaluate the percentage of black women elected to legislative positions and the correlation between black candidacies and the allocation of resources from the Special Campaign Financing Fund – FEFC for black candidacies in 2020 (municipal elections) and in 2022 (general elections). It concludes that the affirmative action policies provided for in electoral legislation resulted in an insignificant increase in the number of black women, a scenario that could be reversed, based on the control mechanisms that the Electoral Court will adopt from the 2024 elections onwards.