(Extended abstract): A decolonial feminist approach to gendered disinformation

False and misleading content has been produced and targeted at women to delegitimize their trajectory and work in prominent societal positions. Still barely explored in mis- and disinformation studies, gendered disinformation mainly encompasses politicians, activists, and journalists. In line with Jankowicz et al. (2021), I argue it is a long-term misogynist strategy to undermine women’s participation and decision-making in public life. Considering that only what gets counted counts (D’Ignazio & Klein, 2020), we must categorize fabricated content targeted at women. This study analyzes how Brazilian female politicians have been portrayed in misogynist and fabricated narratives. Besides being a prominent country in South America, Brazil has a violent past of colonization and slavery. Thus, domination and oppression have been part of society and resonate today. Through multiple case study (Stake, 2006) and documentary research as methodological approaches, the sampling includes six women with different ethnical backgrounds and political experiences. They are the former president Dilma Rousseff; former senator and Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva; former councilwoman Marielle Franco; the Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara; former congresswoman Manuela D’Avila, and First Lady Rosangela da Silva (Janja).