The "Living in Cities: Women 2026" survey, released recently, highlights a troubling disparity in Porto Alegre's gender dynamics. While a significant percentage of women in the city report low recognition of domestic inequality regarding the division of household tasks, they simultaneously face alarmingly high levels of reported harassment. The research indicates that 82% of women in Porto Alegre have experienced some form of harassment in various settings, making it the capital with the highest percentage of harassment among the ten surveyed cities in Brazil.

Conducted by the Sustainable Cities Institute in collaboration with Ipsos-Ipec, the survey aimed to explore gender inequality perceptions among men and women in major Brazilian capitals. The study involved approximately 3,500 participants and focused on key issues, including domestic task division and experiences of harassment and violence. The findings reveal a critical disconnect between perceptions of gender inequality in domestic spheres and the undeniable reality of violence faced by women in public and private spaces.

The implications of this survey are significant, as they shed light on the urgent need for policies addressing both domestic and public safety for women. Porto Alegre's situation, where high harassment rates coexist with a lack of acknowledgment of domestic inequality, suggests that addressing the root causes of gender inequality must involve a comprehensive approach that encompasses both home and society. This stark contradiction provokes a reevaluation of how gender issues are discussed and addressed, particularly the need for increased awareness and proactive measures against harassment in various environments.