The development of feminist criminology in Brazil

Abstract

This paper aims to expose how the reception, adaption and development of gender studies in Brazil and subsequent Law reforms have created a new theoretical field of feminist criminology distinct from the Global North. It uses methodology of bibliographic review and documental analysis of Laws and courts case laws, considering the feminist theorical field. During the 80’s Brazilian literature discussed the explanation of gender violence according to three theories: male domination (Chauí), patriarchal domination (Saffioti), relational violence (Gregori). Gender theories were introduced and developed during the 90’s. Decolonial studies led to stress the deeper intersection of gender with race, social class and other discrimination marks, increasing the vulnerability of minority women, particularly black and indigenous women. The increase of gender studies supported political feminist advocacy to promote Law reforms, such as the Maria da Penha Law, the criminalisation of femicide, reforms on sexual violence and related to women in prison. Feminist criminology has both criticised Law and used it to promote gender equality on society. Judicial practices swing from advances to backlashes, indicating the conservative resistance of the juridical field to assimilate gender debates and feminist critical theories as a whole.