Cidadã

Cidadã is the feminine form of cidadão in Portuguese, used to denote a female citizen. The term can refer to a woman who belongs to a political community and holds the rights and duties defined by law, such as participating in elections, obeying laws, and contributing to public life. It also functions as a gendered noun to describe a woman in civic contexts. The related noun cidadania refers to citizenship as a legal status and as a set of social and political rights and responsibilities.

Etymology and usage: Cidadã and cidadão descend from the same root, linked to the concept of city, state, and membership in a political community. In practice, cidadã appears in standard Portuguese to identify women with civic status, for example, "A cidadã brasileira tem direito de voto." The masculine form cidadão is used for men. In contemporary discourse, some contexts use inclusive language alternatives to stress both genders, such as "cidadãos e cidadãs."

Legal and social context: Citizenship encompasses civil, political, and social dimensions defined by a country’s constitution and laws. The feminine form of the word is common in media, education, and law when referring specifically to women, while gender-neutral phrasing may be employed in efforts to emphasize gender equality or inclusivity.