Observatory analyzes the profile of parliamentarians and electoral inequalities
An initiative by FGV Direito SP investigates intersections between race, gender, and politics to promote greater equity in representation
The Centro de Pesquisa Aplicada em Direito e Justiça Racial da FGV Direito SP announces this year the initial results of the Observatory on Race, Gender, and Political Representation. The research, developed within the framework of the Race and Democracy research line, examines the relationships between law, politics, and representation, periodically analyzing the composition of the Brazilian political landscape and the distribution of electoral resources.
Under the coordination of Professor Luciana de Oliveira Ramos, the initiative is supported by a team of researchers including Catarina Barbieri, Ivan Osmo Mardegan, Jessica Tavares Cerqueira, Juliana Fabbron Marin, Karine de Paula Bernardino, and Luã Ferreira. The project commenced in September 2024 and will present results throughout 2025 and 2026.
Two lines of analysis: national and local
On a national level, the study maps the socioeconomic and political profile of federally elected deputies from the 2022 elections in the four states with the largest delegations—Bahia, Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo—that together account for approximately 40% of Congress. In addition to investigating the trajectory and parliamentary performance, the project assesses whether origins, race, and political capital connect with the representation of their voters. “We want to understand if the so-called substantive representation is, in fact, being practiced,” explains Luciana de Oliveira Ramos.
On the local axis, the focus is on the 2024 municipal elections, analyzing the profile of elected councilors and emphasizing the presence of Black representatives and their territorial distribution. The research also examines trends in campaign resource allocation according to race and gender markers, as well as the effects of rules on reserved spots for Black candidates.
According to the researchers, the data complements previous studies, such as the technical note “Cities, race, and elections: an analysis of Black representation in the Brazilian context,” and aims to expand the debate on racial and gender inequalities in politics. The results reinforce FGV’s commitment to promoting research that contributes to a more inclusive and equitable democracy.
Learn more here.
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