Federal Deputy Tabata Amaral (PSB-SP) is meeting with parliamentary benches this Monday to build a consensus for the approval of the PL da Misoginia [1].
The effort represents a significant shift in Brazilian law by equating misogyny with racism. If passed, the legislation would establish higher penalties for hate crimes directed at women, targeting systemic discrimination rather than individual disputes [1, 2].
Amaral, acting as the relatora of the bill, is working to secure the support of at least 257 deputies [1]. This threshold is required to pass the proposal, known as PL 896/2023 [1], before the upcoming parliamentary recess. The negotiations are taking place at the Chamber of Deputies in Brasília [2, 3].
The lawmaker has faced opposition and what she describes as false attacks regarding the scope of the bill. Amaral said that the legislation does not target free speech or personal opinions, but rather the act of discrimination [2].
"Não é sobre opinião, mas sobre discriminação," Amaral said [2].
By aligning the legal treatment of misogyny with that of racism, the bill seeks to categorize gender-based hate as an inexcusable crime against the collective dignity of women. The current push for a consensus aims to neutralize political friction before the final text is presented for a vote [1, 2].
“"Não é sobre opinião, mas sobre discriminação"”
The passage of PL 896/2023 would mark a pivotal expansion of Brazil's human rights framework by treating gender-based hate as a non-bailable or more severely punished offense, similar to the legal status of racism. By seeking a broad consensus across different parliamentary benches, Amaral is attempting to prevent the bill from being stalled by ideological divides over free speech, ensuring that the legal definition of misogyny is viewed as a protection of civil rights rather than a restriction of expression.
