Analysis between Femicide and Feminicide in Comparative Criminal Law

Abstract

Femicide is the most violent form of violence against women, causing the death of women simply because of their gender. In the Americas, based on the figures of violence against women, criminal offenses were established to sanction behaviors related to this type of violence. Therefore, in legislative processes, efforts were made to classify the act of causing the death of a woman because she is a woman as a separate crime. In some countries like Mexico and Ecuador, this is referred to as feminicide and femicide, respectively. Thus, the objective of this study was to analyze the similarities and differences between feminicide and femicide in comparative criminal law in these countries. The methodology used had a qualitative approach, involving a documentary study of the aforementioned legislation. Information was collected from official gazettes, records, jurisprudential search engines, legal doctrine, and other relevant legal sources. Comparative law was the main method used. The main result revealed the differences and similarities in these legal systems concerning femicide and feminicide, and the contemporary normative situation in these countries. It was concluded that, despite legislative efforts to punish violence against women, there is currently a high incidence of such criminal acts, indicating a legal problem that requires further investigation.