Gender disinformation is a type of misogynistic violence against women that uses false or misleading narratives based on sex and gender to prevent women from participating in the public sphere, silencing their voices
and neutralizing their initiatives. Often, these gender disinformation narratives are coordinated to undermine advances in the debate on gender equality, sexual and reproductive rights, as well as the rights of women and LGBTQIA+ populations. The objective of this line of research is to investigate the phenomenon of gender disinformation on social networks to obtain a systemic and multiplatform view of narrative disputes, manipulation strategies and hate speech against women.
Analysis of the online debate reveals misogynistic, racist, homophobic attacks, insults and other insults against women, especially those in the political world. Another relevant topic is women's sexual and reproductive rights, as there is an express coordinated disinformation campaign on the subject. Such narratives often appeal to moral panic and contribute to rights violations and political setbacks in the fight against gender oppression.
Gender disinformation campaigns are mobilized internationally and are often adapted to the Brazilian scenario. Studies in this line of research point to a worsening in polarization on gender issues.