Lula and Flávio Bolsonaro Target Female Voters in São Paulo Events

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and PL presidential candidate Flávio Bolsonaro both held events in São Paulo on Saturday, November 8, with a focus on appealing to female voters. During an event in Itapetininga, Flávio Bolsonaro stated that if elected, he would appoint both men and women to the Supreme Federal Court (STF). He noted that the next president will appoint four ministers to the court and criticized current ministers for their conduct. Bolsonaro also proposed the creation of a women's center for the protection of victims of violence. These efforts follow reports that he trails Lula in polling among women and comes after he selected Congressman Alfredo Gaspar as his running mate instead of a woman.

In Taboão da Serra, President Lula spoke at an MTST event, asserting that men must learn to work in the kitchen to assist women. He argued that the struggle for women's dignity is also a man's responsibility because the aggressor is the man. During the same event, First Lady Rosângela da Silva, known as Janja, advocated for the banning of the platform Discord in Brazil, citing concerns over the safety of children and women.

While both candidates targeted women, the framing of Flávio Bolsonaro's event differed between reports. A center leaning source highlighted his aggressive rhetoric, noting his claims that the current government has a pact with the devil, his defense of arming citizens, and his conspiracy theories regarding the 2018 stabbing of his father. In contrast, a center right leaning source focused on the strategic electoral context, mentioning internal party tensions and public criticisms Flávio received from former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro. Additionally, President Lula used his appearance to criticize the financial sector of Faria Lima, arguing that bankers and ruralists do not understand the hardships of the poor.