Lula, Bolsonaro Return to Strongholds Ahead of Presidential Campaigns

Brazil’s upcoming general election has seen both Lula and Bolsonaro target the country’s women voters with pledges to curb femicide and gender‑based violence. In campaign rallies across the nation, Lula’s campaign highlighted a new legislative package that would expand police protection for domestic‑violence victims and increase funding for shelters, while Bolsonaro’s supporters stressed stricter law‑enforcement measures and community‑based programs aimed at preventing gender‑based crime. Both leaders cited a 2019 study that found Brazil’s femicide rate had risen to 3.4 per 100,000 women, the highest in Latin America, and they framed their proposals as a direct response to the growing public demand for safety and justice.

The promises come amid a broader push to mobilize women voters, who are projected to make up roughly 60 % of the electorate in the 2026 election. Lula’s campaign has pledged to create a national task force on gender violence, while Bolsonaro’s side has announced the deployment of additional police units to high‑risk areas and the launch of a digital reporting platform for abuse. Analysts note that the issue has become a decisive factor in recent elections, with women’s turnout rising from 48 % in 2018 to an estimated 55 % in 2022, and both parties are keen to secure that demographic’s support. As the campaign season intensifies, the effectiveness of each candidate’s strategy will likely hinge on their ability to translate these commitments into concrete policy action before the vote.