Today, discussing inclusion, gender, and diversity, as well as seeing a female attorney, is common. However, this was not always the case.
The Women’s Day serves as a reminder that the fight against a patriarchal past is ongoing. Progress is being made, such as an increase in the percentage of elected female mayors in municipal elections.
It may seem small, but it is progress rather than regression. We need to recall the journey we took to reach this point, so we called upon the initial Brazilian attorney to give testimony.
Today, the importance of this article is more significant than ever, so keep reading.
What would Myrthes Gomes de Campos say if she were present?
I am Myrthes Gomes de Campos, the second woman to graduate in law, following Maria Augusta Saraiva who graduated in 1897. Although I was the first authorized lawyer by the Brazilian Lawyers Institute.
Esperança Garcia, who wrote a letter denouncing violence and seeking justice, is remembered for her petition to the governor of São José do Piauí in 1770. Over two centuries later, she was recognized as the first female lawyer in the country.
In 1902, I was the pioneering woman to practice law in a courtroom, encountering the prevailing and unchallenged dominance of machismo. Terms like inclusion, gender, and diversity were absent from the vocabulary of the time.
The two major world wars, which we now see as the epitome of all that is deplorable in masculinity, had not taken place yet in history.
Today marks the beginning of a new era where women achieve success and respect in various fields. It brings me joy to witness women overcoming challenges that were once considered extraordinary. Being a trailblazer is significant, but what truly matters is having the courage to pursue one’s calling, like becoming a lawyer, regardless of gender.
Gender-neutral equality in the law
Society has progressed in discussing inclusion and diversity, but gender inequality still persists, and there is more progress needed to regain suppressed rights.
Below is a chronological timeline.
In 1770, Esperança Garcia drafted a petition and was acknowledged as Brazil’s inaugural attorney much later, after 247 years.
In 1897, Maria Augusta Saraiva becomes the first female law student.
In 1898, Myrthes Gomes de Campos became the second person to study Law and the first female lawyer in Brazil.
In 1902, Maria Augusta made history as the first female to serve on the Jury Court.
In 1950, Esther de Figueiredo Ferraz became the first woman to hold a seat on the OAB Council.
Bernardete Neves Pedrosa became the first female law teacher in 1965.
Esther became the initial Minister of the nation in 1982, serving in the Education and Culture department.
In 2000, Ellen Gracie Northfleet becomes the first Minister of the Superior Federal Court.
In 2002, Norma Cavalcanti becomes the first woman to be appointed as the vice president of CONAMP.
In 2004, Ellen Gracie assumes the role of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
In 2006, Ellen Gracie is appointed as the Vice President of the Supreme Court.
In 2014, Norma became the initial female president of CONAMP.
Norma was elected president again in 2016.
This is simply a summary to demonstrate the limited involvement of women in advocacy.
The challenge of recognizing what is clearly visible
Brazil’s population is made up of 51.7% women and 48.3% men.
60% of OAB records are for women under the age of 25.
54% of female lawyers are between the ages of 26 and 49.
55% of females are enrolled in law schools.
But solely.
10.5% of women are in political positions.
16.3% attained a higher education by the age of 25.
39.1% hold a managerial role.
30% of female employees in law firms achieve partnership status.
Most workplaces are conservative, and opportunities for leadership roles are scarce, making these numbers an average and not reflective of all working environments.
The difficulties
Being the first is as insignificant as the initial raindrop that falls to the ground. What truly matters is the growth that follows, like blossoming after a waterfall.
We have a lot to achieve together, inspiring both women and men to break down barriers and embrace a world that is more sensitive, loving, and harmonious. The key challenges we need to address in advocacy work are:
Task overload – the hidden presence of male dominance
Culturally, women often have additional tasks beyond their primary jobs that men typically do not do. These tasks are not related to domestic chores or caregiving responsibilities, but rather smaller, simpler tasks like making copies or preparing coffee for meetings.
Structural machismo without subtleties – serious warning about harassment.
There is ongoing harassment related to our clothing choices, comments with hidden meanings, inappropriate insinuations, strange propositions, disrespectful jokes, and unwelcome stares at our bodies. Additionally, we carry a sense of guilt for being out alone at night.
I bid farewell, feeling a mix of joy for the progress we have made and sorrow for the continued occurrences of gender-based violence, particularly the rise in feminicides during the pandemic. I hold onto the hope that even though I may have been among the first to speak out, there are now millions joining the cause.
Happy International Women’s Day! Our adventure carries on!
Download our infographic Women’s Evolution in Law for valuable information and references on the statistics mentioned in the post. Spread the word as this topic is important for discussion.
