Toffoli suspends competition for PM of Pará due to restrictions on women

The Minister of the Federal Supreme Court (STF) Dias Toffoli suspended this Friday (17) the competition for officers and enlisted men of the Military Police of Pará. The measure was taken due to the restriction of 20% of the total vacancies for women. Toffoli responded to the suspension request made by the Attorney General’s Office (PGR). The body questioned state law 6,626/2004, which gave power to the PM administration to restrict the number of women who can participate in the contest.

For the minister, the restriction cannot be legally justified, and women must compete among the 100% of available vacancies. “Ensuring that women compete for 100% of the vacancies in no way deprives male candidates of any right, as everyone will be competing for all available vacancies, and it is up to the contest stages to properly select the most suitable candidates, regardless of their sex,” he said.

With the decision, the tests, which would be held on December 10th and 17th, are suspended until a final decision by the STF, informed the Brazil Agency. This Thursday (16), minister Cristiano Zanin authorized the Rio de Janeiro PM (PMERJ) contest to be held without the gender restrictions provided for in the original text of the notice. The decision came after the approval of an agreement.

Last month, the PGR filed lawsuits with the Supreme Court to challenge laws in 14 states that limit the participation of women in public competitions for the Military Police and Fire Department. In general, the restriction provided for in the notices is 10% for women. In the actions, the acting Attorney General of the Republic, Elizeta Ramos, argued that the limitation is unconstitutional.