Brazil advances gender equity in judiciary with leadership program and court petition

Civil society groups Justa, Themis and Fórum Justiça have launched the "Caminhos para Liderança de Mulheres na Justiça" program to increase female representation in Brazil’s magistracy, prosecution and public defence. Applications are open until 30 June for 30 candidates who will receive ten months of mentorship, in‑person meetings and international experiences focused on management and governance, with an emphasis on ethnic‑racial and regional diversity.

Separately, the Progressistas (PP) and Podemos parties have filed an ADPF 1338 request with the Supreme Federal Court (STF) asking that the formation of "quinto constitucional" candidate lists for court vacancies observe minimum gender‑parity criteria. The parties seek parity in sextuple lists and preservation of female presence in triple lists, citing data that women, despite being the majority among law students and lawyers, are under‑represented in higher courts and senior judicial positions.