Curitiba councilors criticize post that highlights clothes at inauguration

Councilors from Curitiba, in Paraná, used their social media profiles on Thursday (Jan 2, 2025) to protest against a text on a website called Blog do Tupan regarding that of the capital of Paraná and which highlighted the clothes of the politicians.

The website published a post in which it says that councilors sworn in on Wednesday (January 1st) “they decided to sexualize and appeared at Palácio Rio Branco with provocative necklines”. Nominally cites 5 policies:

Camilla Gonda and Laís Leão spoke out on social media:

• Camilla Gonda – “Instead of valuing women’s competence, preparation and proposals, the focus is diverted to misogynistic and irrelevant comments. Would the same level apply to male councilors?”the councilor on her Instagram profile (read the full text below);
• Laís Leão – “I will not accept intimidation or retreat in the face of attacks that aim to delegitimize our actions as women elected to represent the population. Our response is firm: there will be no tolerance for setbacks or behaviors that perpetuate machismo and misogyny.”the policy in an official note (read the full text below).

Curitiba Chamber repudiates website post

Curitiba City Hall issued one on Thursday (Jan. 2, 2025). It says that the “the content of the text is unacceptable and reinforces stereotypes that minimize women’s political activity, reducing them to physical aspects and trying to divert the focus from their competence”. Read the note (PDF – 208 kB).

See the gallery below to see who the councilors mentioned are:

Read the full note from councilor Camilla Gonda:

“It is regrettable that, given so many important contributions that the new councilors can offer to the Curitiba City Council, a columnist chooses to reduce the parliamentarians’ actions to the mere observation of their physical appearances.

“Instead of valuing women’s competence, preparation and proposals, the focus is diverted to misogynistic and irrelevant comments. Would the same level apply to male councilors? This approach not only disrespects councilors, but also underestimates the role of politics as a space for social transformation and equality.

“Total repudiation of this type of ‘news’.”

Read the full note from councilor Laís Leão:

“Note of Repudiation: Councilor Laís Leão (PDT) condemns an episode of gender-based political violence

“Councilwoman Laís Leão (PDT) expresses her vehement rejection of the episode of gender-based political violence promoted by a political blog in a publication published this Thursday (2). The content, entitled ‘Councilwomen sexualize during their inauguration’, used official images from the Curitiba City Council and made derogatory references to the parliamentarians’ clothing during the inauguration ceremony held last Wednesday (1st). Such an approach reflects a sexist and misogynistic discourse, absolutely incompatible with the principles of democracy and respect for human dignity.

“’We are living in a historic moment, with the largest female group ever elected to the Curitiba City Council. However, to consolidate these advances, it is essential that we confront gender-based political violence in all its manifestations. This deplorable episode demonstrates how much we still need to fight to guarantee an equal and respectful political environment. I want to make it clear that I will not accept intimidation or retreat in the face of attacks that aim to delegitimize our actions as women elected to represent the population. Our response is firm: there will be no tolerance for setbacks or behaviors that perpetuate machismo and misogyny.

“The councilor reaffirms her commitment to defending women’s rights and strengthening democracy, which requires respect for diversity and the fight against all forms of oppression.”

Read the full note from the Curitiba Chamber:

“Curitiba City Council repudiates publication that attacks women’s benches

“The Curitiba City Council and the 12 councilors who make up its female caucus come out to the public to vehemently repudiate and demand the prompt retraction and immediate removal of the Tupan Blog publication of the text entitled ‘Councilwomen sexualize in inauguration’, which flagrantly disrespects the dignity, honor and institutional role of the councilors of this House.

“The content of the text is unacceptable and reinforces stereotypes that minimize women’s political activity, reducing them to physical aspects and trying to divert the focus from their competence and commitment to society. This type of approach, in addition to being offensive, goes against the constitutional principles of equality, dignity and respect, fundamental in a democracy.

“The Curitiba City Council informs that, if the text is not removed from the blog and the retraction does not occur, the appropriate measures will be taken against the vehicle responsible for the publication, as well as against the authors of the text, so that they are legally responsible for the damages caused in the image of the councilors and the institution as a whole.

“We reiterate our commitment to ensuring respect for the actions of the 12 parliamentarians, who represent an important milestone in the history of local politics by forming the largest female bench ever recorded in this House.”