WHO MATTERS AS A JUDGE? AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF GENDER AND DECISIONS IN THE BRAZILIAN POLITICAL AMNESTY COMMISSION

Authors

  • Rowana Camargo Rio Grande do Sul Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology image/svg+xml
  • José Carlos Moreira da Silva Filho Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12818/P.0304-2340.2026v88p389

Abstract

 This article is based on the results of a quali­tative empirical study that analyzed 152 deci­sions issued by members of the Political Am­nesty Commission between 2013 and 2022 in cases in which women were the petition­ers. The study found that there were no sig­nificant differences between men and women regarding the outcomes of the rulings or the recognition of gender-specific issues present in the cases analyzed. In light of this finding, the article seeks to address the following research question: What factors explain why gender diversity in the composition of the Political Amnesty Commission did not result in sig­nificant differences in the incorporation of a gender perspective into its rulings? To this end, a qualitative study is conducted, based on a literature review, drawing on studies of transi­tional justice, gender representation in institu­tional spaces, and gender literacy. It is argued that the mere presence of women in decision-making bodies, while relevant to strengthen­ing democratic representation, is not sufficient to promote a break with androcentric legal rationalities. It is concluded that the abstract universalization of the law, the lack of gen­ der literacy, and the absence of trial protocols with an intersectional gender perspective are factors that hinder the recognition of women’s specific experiences, highlighting the need.

KEYWORDS: Gender. Transitional Justice. Political Amnesty Commission.

Author Biographies

  • Rowana Camargo, Rio Grande do Sul Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology

    Doutora em Ciências Criminais pela Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). Mestra em Ciências Humanas pela Universidade Federal da Fronteira Sul (UFFS). Bacharela em Direito pela Faculdade Anhanguera Passo Fundo. Professora do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul (IFRS). Advogada. E-mail: rowanacamargo@gmail.com. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3395-5869

  • José Carlos Moreira da Silva Filho, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul

    Doutor em Direito das Relações Sociais pela Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR). Mestre em Teoria e Filosofia do Direito pela Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC). Graduado em Direito pela Universidade de Brasília (UnB). Professor Adjunto da Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS). E-mail: jose.filho@pucrs.br. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3530-0698

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Published

2026-08-19

Issue

Vol. 88 (2026)

Section

Artigos