Dorinha asks for respect for women in political reform.

Tocantins 247 - During the meeting of the special committee dealing with political reform, this Tuesday, the 19th, Representative Professora Dorinha (DEM-TO) asked for respect for the role of women.

"My fellow deputies say that the rapporteur Marcelo Castro (PMDB-PI) is always attentive and listens a lot, but he hasn't been listening to us women. In all the changes he has presented, he has altered several measures trying to please the plenary. He listens to everyone, but only listens to some," said Dorinha.

The Democrat appealed to the rapporteur to ensure women's voices were heard. "Our country occupies shameful positions in the ranking of female participation in politics, even falling behind some in the Middle East where authoritarianism reigns and violence against women, who are forced to wear burkas, is extreme. Brazil's numbers do not reflect our reality, the size of the female population, and our capabilities. We need to be heard," she stated.

Dorinha said that several parliamentarians showed disrespect towards the demonstration for more women in politics in the plenary session. "I would like to tell these deputies to respect us. We have a dignified job, we serve to campaign and vote for men, we are more than 70% of the electorate. If there are male deputies today, it is because women voted for them," she said.

The parliamentarian also mentioned that Brazilian society is unequal, that there are quotas in various areas aimed at equity, and that what women want today is equality. "We are tired of going around municipalities and hearing from leaders that women are only there as figurehead candidates. We don't want favors, but space in a momentary situation of inequality, to ensure that more women can reach municipal and state legislative bodies and Congress. Affirmative action policies are constitutional, and women do need special attention. We are few in the Chamber, but 51 votes make a difference in this House."

"When we approved the proposal by congresswoman Luisa Erundina (PSB/SP) in support of more women in politics, some congressmen told us to go back to the kitchen, as if our place was in the kitchen. These congressmen do not honor the House they represent, they do not honor their female voters." Dorinha reinforced the appeal to the rapporteur of the political reform to listen to the women's caucus's demand for greater female representation in politics. "We want temporary quotas, we don't have party funding, the female candidates are just 'fronts' to fulfill the candidacy quota."

The congresswoman also said that the caucus wants to formally hear each party's position regarding the quota for women. "We are tired of only serving to campaign, wave flags, and ask for votes for men. In the minds of the congressmen, our role ends there. But it's not like that; we want to be in decision-making positions, we deserve to participate in the decisions of this country, we are not just numbers," she said.

Political reform
The report is scheduled to be voted on next Monday, the 25th. The voting will be finalized during the day on Tuesday (26). The vote by the Plenary of the Chamber of Deputies is scheduled for Tuesday evening. The rapporteur Marcelo Castro did not accept the request from the women's caucus on the grounds that it was unconstitutional.