Symbolic illustration of women united against gender-based violence.

Decoding Femicide: Understanding Gender-Based Violence in Latin America

Mira Elwood in Law & Justice August 2025 • 4 min read.

"An in-depth look at the rise of femicide, its roots in social inequality, and the fight for justice across Iberoamerica."

Violence against women remains a persistent and devastating issue globally, with the most extreme manifestation being femicide – the intentional killing of women because they are women. This act, both tragic and deeply rooted in societal structures, demands urgent attention and action. From legal frameworks to cultural norms, understanding the dynamics of femicide is crucial for effective prevention and justice.

The term "femicide" gained prominence in the mid-1970s, thanks to the work of Diana Russell, who sought to bring visibility to these specific killings. Later, in the 1990s, Marcela Lagarde introduced the term "feminicidio" in Spanish to translate Russell's work, further solidifying the concept in Latin American discourse. Both terms have since fostered research, awareness, and political action, creating a vital space for addressing this issue.

This article delves into the existing research on femicide and feminicidio within the Latin American context. By analyzing literature in both Spanish and Portuguese, we aim to uncover how these terms are understood, applied, and debated in the region. We explore the key themes, geographical focuses, and the ongoing efforts to combat gender-based violence across Iberoamerica.

Defining Femicide and Feminicidio: More Than Just Homicide

Symbolic illustration of women united against gender-based violence.

Initially, the term "homicide" was broadly used to categorize the killing of one person by another. However, this term often fails to capture the deeply gendered nature of violence against women. Diana Russell argued that "homicide" lacked the necessary specificity to address the unique motivations and societal contexts surrounding the killing of women.

Russell's introduction of "femicide" was intended to highlight the fact that these killings are often rooted in misogyny, power imbalances, and systemic discrimination. Later, Marcela Lagarde's concept of "feminicidio" further emphasized the state's role in enabling impunity and failing to protect women. The subtle difference is important. It moves beyond the individual act to look at state complicity.

Femicide: Focuses on the act of killing a woman because she is a woman.
Feminicidio: Expands the concept to include the systemic factors, such as state inaction or societal norms, that contribute to these deaths.

Both terms, however, serve as critical tools for understanding and addressing the pervasive issue of gender-based violence. They provide a framework for analyzing the root causes of these crimes and developing effective strategies for prevention and justice.

Moving Forward: Eradicating Femicide Through Awareness and Action

As Claire Laurent, Michael Platzer, and Maria Idomir noted in "Femicide: A Global Issue That Demands Action," eradicating femicide requires a global commitment. By continuing to advance research, improve diagnostic tools, and implement preventative measures, we can strive to eliminate violence and ensure justice for all.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is femicide, and why is it important to understand?

Femicide is the intentional killing of women because they are women. Diana Russell introduced the term to highlight that these killings are rooted in misogyny, power imbalances, and systemic discrimination. It's important because it brings visibility to the gendered nature of violence against women, which might otherwise be overlooked if simply categorized as homicide.

Could you explain what feminicidio means and how it differs from femicide?

Feminicidio, a term introduced by Marcela Lagarde, expands the concept of femicide to include the systemic factors, such as state inaction or societal norms, that contribute to these deaths. Unlike femicide, which focuses on the act of killing, feminicidio emphasizes the state's role in enabling impunity and failing to protect women. It is significant because it broadens the scope of accountability beyond individual perpetrators to include governments and societal structures.

What is the difference between homicide and femicide? Why is it important to make that distinction?

The term homicide is a broad term that categorizes the killing of one person by another. While it encompasses the act of killing a woman, it often fails to capture the gendered nature of violence against women. Diana Russell argued that homicide lacks the necessary specificity to address the unique motivations and societal contexts surrounding the killing of women, such as misogyny and power imbalances. Therefore, femicide and feminicidio are crucial for understanding and addressing gender-based violence more effectively.

Who are Diana Russell and Marcela Lagarde, and what contributions have they made to understanding gender-based violence?

Diana Russell and Marcela Lagarde are pivotal figures in the study and awareness of gender-based violence. Russell introduced the term 'femicide' to highlight the intentional killing of women because they are women, rooted in misogyny and power imbalances. Lagarde introduced 'feminicidio' in Spanish, emphasizing the state's role in enabling impunity and failing to protect women. Their contributions have fostered research, awareness, and political action, creating a vital space for addressing this critical issue.

What steps are necessary to eradicate femicide, and why is a comprehensive approach so important?

Eradicating femicide requires a multifaceted approach that includes global commitment, advancing research, improving diagnostic tools, and implementing preventative measures. As Claire Laurent, Michael Platzer, and Maria Idomir noted in "Femicide: A Global Issue That Demands Action," a global commitment is essential. Without comprehensive strategies that address both the individual acts of violence and the systemic factors that enable them, efforts to combat femicide will fall short. Raising awareness, improving legal frameworks, and changing cultural norms are also vital components of this effort.