Feminisms and Politics: Advances, Challenges, and Perspectives in Latin America

This panel is an initiative of the Feminisms and Politics Research Network, composed of Brazilian researchers. In a context of increasing diversity in the debates on feminisms and politics within Political Science, this closed panel brings together researchers focused on gender and power dynamics in Latin American politics. The panel will address how institutional frameworks and individual agency intersect to shape pathways toward gender parity in Latin American political landscapes. It will also analyze the role of women in navigating and transforming institutional barriers, highlighting successful strategies and identifying areas where progress remains challenging. Discussions will consider how differing political structures across the region impact gender parity, showcasing case studies and comparative analyses that illustrate effective tactics and the institutional conditions that support or hinder gender equality. This panel will also explore the structural barriers women face within Latin America’s political parties, emphasizing the pervasive challenges of gender-based violence and other forms of discrimination. By analyzing instances of gender-based violence, harassment, and other discriminatory practices, the panel aims to shed light on the complex reality of female political engagement in Latin America, calling attention to both the barriers and the resilience of women in these contexts. This panel encourages critical reflection on the systemic and often intersecting barriers to gender equality in political spaces, aiming to foster new perspectives and strategies that can support and sustain gender parity and equity in Latin American politics. Through these discussions, panel participants seek to contribute to a deeper understanding of the pathways to gender parity, the role of political institutions, and the necessity of addressing gender-based violence as a key issue in achieving meaningful political transformation.