Women’s suffrage in Brazil a victory over historical misogyny

Sexist statements have echoed through time. “My wife will not vote,” said Senator Coelho e Campos, a member of Brazil’s Constituent Assembly in 1891. That same year, another lawmaker, Serzedelo Corrêa, asserted that throwing women into the midst of political passions and struggles means “stripping them of their sanctity.” Over 135 years later, this violent rhetoric resurfaced. “Statistically, women vote poorly, especially single women. Married women tend to follow their husbands’ lead,” stated…