Black Women of Brazil: "Being black and female is very difficult in Brazil", says Ivone Caetano, first black judge of Rio de Janeiro

7.10.12

Black Women of Brazil: "Being black and female is very difficult in Brazil", says Ivone Caetano, first black judge of Rio de Janeiro: Ivone Caetano was the first black woman to become a judge of the Court of Rio de Janeiro 18 years ago. At 68 years, married for 42 years, she is the Judge of the Jurisdiction of Childhood, Youth and the Elderly of the County of Rio de Janeiro. She is a controversial figure, fighter and innovator. Finding black or brown magistrates is even rarer. Although they represent about half of the population, the black/brown ratio among judges is 13%.

“In my profession, I have always been treated with great respect, but there are veiled manifestations of prejudice. As indicated by the (former senator) Marina Silva, ‘the worthlessness of the person brings the worthlessness of the word’: that is, to see that what you're saying is not so taken into account, says Ivone.