Image symbolizing femicide: Long shadows converging into a broken mirror reflecting distorted women's faces, representing violence against women.

Beyond 'Crimes of Passion': Understanding Femicide in Latin America

Avery Sinclair in Law & Justice August 2025 • 4 min read.

"An in-depth look at the cultural and legal factors driving violence against women across the region"

Violence against women remains a pervasive and devastating problem worldwide, and in its most extreme form, it results in femicide. This isn't just about isolated incidents; it's a deeply rooted issue reflecting systemic inequalities and power imbalances. The term 'femicide' highlights the gender-based nature of these killings, underscoring that women are targeted specifically because they are women.

The term “femicide,” popularized in the English-speaking world by Diana Russell in 1976, refers to the killing of women by men because they are female. In the 1990s, Mexican anthropologist Marcela Lagarde introduced the term “feminicidio” to the Spanish language when translating Russell’s work. Both terms have been crucial in raising awareness, promoting research, and spurring political action.

This article delves into the ongoing discussion surrounding femicide and feminicide, with a focus on how these concepts have been understood and addressed within the social sciences in Latin America. By reviewing existing literature in Spanish and Portuguese, we aim to highlight the distinct ways in which this critical issue manifests across the region.

Defining the Terms: Femicide vs. Feminicidio

Image symbolizing femicide: Long shadows converging into a broken mirror reflecting distorted women's faces, representing violence against women.

The distinction between 'femicide' and 'feminicidio' is more than just a matter of translation. While both terms address the killing of women, 'feminicidio,' as conceptualized by Marcela Lagarde, carries a specific emphasis on the state's role in enabling these crimes.

Lagarde's concept of 'feminicidio' broadens the scope to include the social and institutional factors that contribute to impunity, such as:

Misogyny: Deep-seated hatred and devaluation of women.
State Inaction: Failure to prevent violence or punish perpetrators.
Systemic Inequality: Cultural and economic factors that disempower women.

Understanding these nuances is essential for developing effective strategies to combat gender-based violence. It requires recognizing that femicide isn't simply an individual act but a symptom of a larger societal problem.

Moving Forward: A Call to Action

As research makes clear, femicide is not just a statistic; it's a deeply rooted societal problem. To make real change, we need action on many fronts. This includes laws that protect women, support for victims, and tackling the beliefs that lead to violence. By working together, we can challenge the norms and systems that allow these terrible crimes to happen, building a safer future for all women.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the core difference between 'femicide' and 'feminicidio'?

While both 'femicide' and 'feminicidio' address the killing of women, 'feminicidio,' as conceptualized by Marcela Lagarde, emphasizes the state's role in enabling these crimes. 'Femicide', popularized by Diana Russell, highlights that women are killed by men because they are female. Lagarde's 'feminicidio' broadens the scope by including the social and institutional factors like state inaction, misogyny, and systemic inequality that contribute to the impunity of perpetrators. These factors create an environment where violence against women is not only tolerated but also perpetuated.

How does 'feminicidio' connect to the concept of systemic inequality in Latin America?

'Feminicidio', particularly as defined by Marcela Lagarde, underscores that the killings of women are often a result of systemic inequalities. These inequalities include misogyny, state inaction, and broader cultural and economic factors that disempower women. The term highlights that these crimes are not isolated incidents but rather symptoms of a society where women are devalued and where institutions fail to protect them, thereby allowing such violence to continue.

Why is understanding the distinction between 'femicide' and 'feminicidio' important?

Understanding the distinction between 'femicide' and 'feminicidio' is crucial for several reasons. Recognizing the nuances helps in developing effective strategies to combat gender-based violence. 'Femicide', as a concept, raises awareness about gender-based killings, while 'feminicidio' emphasizes the state's role and responsibility in preventing such crimes by addressing systemic issues like state inaction, misogyny, and systemic inequality. This understanding guides research, informs policies, and spurs political action, thereby promoting a more comprehensive and effective approach to tackling gender-based violence in Latin America.

Who popularized the terms 'femicide' and 'feminicidio', and when were they introduced?

The term 'femicide' was popularized by Diana Russell in the English-speaking world in 1976, highlighting the gender-based nature of these killings. The term 'feminicidio' was introduced to the Spanish language in the 1990s by Mexican anthropologist Marcela Lagarde when translating Russell’s work. Lagarde's version broadened the scope by focusing on the state's role in enabling such crimes through factors like misogyny, state inaction, and systemic inequality.

What are the key components that contribute to 'feminicidio' as conceptualized by Marcela Lagarde?

Marcela Lagarde's concept of 'feminicidio' highlights several key components that enable and contribute to gender-based violence. These include misogyny, which is the deep-seated hatred and devaluation of women; state inaction, which refers to the failure of the state to prevent violence or punish perpetrators; and systemic inequality, encompassing cultural and economic factors that disempower women. These components together create an environment where violence against women is normalized and perpetuated, underlining that 'feminicidio' is not merely an individual act but a symptom of societal problems.