When it comes to political leadership, Brazil has the lowest female representation in the world. That's despite the fact that former president Dilma Rousseff is a woman. CGTN's Paulo Cabral met some of the women who want to increase their numbers in parliament.

Andrea Werner is the mother of 10-year-old autistic child. Because of Theo, she became an activist for the rights of special needs children and created a blog for them and their families. As her name grew in popularity two political parties invited her to run for office this year. Andrea decided to accept. She will run as a left-wing Liberty and Socialism Party candidate-trying to win a seat in Brazil's male-dominated Parliament.

ANDREA WERNER, PARLIAMENT PRE-CANDIDATE PSOL PARTY "It's a battle. But it's ok. I am prepared. I am not afraid. I think we should do this. More women should do this. Because they are not thinking about daily lives problems. When you see some countries that have more women working in the Congress, they worry more about health and education."

Currently only 55 of Brazil's 513 Federal Deputies are women-nearly 11% (10.7%) In the Senate there are 12 women out of a total 81 Senators-less than 15% (14.8%) This ranks Brazil 152 out of 194 countries on a list compiled by the International Parliamentary Union.

PAULO CABRAL SAO PAULO "In 1997 Brazil enacted a law determining parties' candidates list had to have at least 30% of women. However the new rule did little to actually increase female presence in Congress."

ROSEMARY SEGURADO, POLITICAL SCIENTIST SAO PAULO CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY "Actually, many women are listed as candidates, but they are not running for real. Parties just put their names there because they need to fill the 30% quota, but do not invest in the candidacies. When it's time to share the party funds for a campaign, usually the money does not reach these female candidates."

Marlene Campos Machado will also run for Parliament for center-right Brazil Labour Party. She's never held office, but her husband is a long-serving Deputy in the State Assembly. She aims to be the first woman ever elected to parliament by her party in Sao Paulo state.

MARLENE CAMPOS MACHADO, PARLIAMENT PRE-CANDIDATE PTB PARTY "Women can't be candidates just because of the quotas. We need to have a life in politics. That's what we are trying to develop in our party. To get women to really participate in the debates and have a say."

It's not easy for newcomers to make a name in politics. But in Brazil, there are signs that a growing number of women are willing to accept that challenge. Paulo Cabral, CGTN, Sao Paulo.