First Lady Janja defends herself against travel‑expense criticism, calling it misogyny and backs anti‑misogyny bill

First Lady Rosângela Lula da Silva (Janja) said the attacks on her travel expenses are driven by misogyny. She explained that she travels in executive class for security reasons, stays at Brazilian embassies abroad, and that all of her itineraries are public and subject to audit. The Tribunal de Contas da União dismissed four complaints about her overseas trips, finding no misuse of public funds. Janja also noted that Brazil "never had a first‑lady who worked effectively," describing her daily schedule of meetings, agendas and work on food security and anti‑violence initiatives.

In interviews she expressed solidarity with Michelle Bolsonaro and Senator Damares Alves, condemning attacks on women regardless of political affiliation and saying "misogyny has no side." She urged the Chamber of Deputies to approve the project that criminalises misogyny and called for gender parity in legislative seats, proposing 50 % of seats for women in both houses.