Brazil women's suffrage history and political representation

The history of women's suffrage in Brazil is marked by a decades-long struggle that culminated in national voting rights. Early pioneers include Celina Guimarães Viana from Rio Grande do Norte, who became the first woman to register and vote in Brazil in 1927 following state-level legislative changes, and Mietta Santiago, the first registered voter in Minas Gerais.

While female representation in Brazilian politics has seen growth, recent election data highlights ongoing disparities. In the 2022 elections, 91 women were elected to the Chamber of Deputies, an increase from 77 in 2018. However, racial inequality remains a significant factor; although the number of Black women elected to the Chamber rose from 13 in 2018 to 29 in 2022, they still occupy only 5.7% of the 513 seats. Notably, no Black women were elected to the Senate in the 2022 contested vacancies.