by Brynn Smith ‘19

In Argentina, a woman is killed every 30 hours. In Guatemala, two women are killed every 24 hours. Worldwide, 181 women are killed every day because of their gender. The act of murdering a woman solely because of her gender is called femicide, and it is an epidemic that needs to be stopped.

Last month, a native of Argentina, 16-year-old Lucia Perez, was kidnapped by two men just outside of her school. After being drugged, she was raped so brutally that she died as a result of internal injuries. Lucia’s murder became the catalyst for action by women across South America.

Large protests broke out across Latin America in response to Perez’s death. Thousands of women in Chile, Paraguay, México, Brazil, El Salvador, and Uruguay joined in demanding protection from their governments. Dubbed “Black Wednesday,” women marched under signs reading, “Not one less” or “When I walk home I want to be free not brave.”

These women deserve the chance to feel as safe as men do. All women deserve that right, and the fact that the so many don’t have it is repugnant. Not only should these Latin American governments listen to their constituents, but the United States should take a larger role in advocating governmental action there.

While many Americans were getting ready for the holidays, Latin American women lent their voices and prayers to Lucia Perez. The people of the United States need to take a step back and see the world around them. Just because femicide isn’t an extensive problem here doesn’t mean gender violence isn’t.

The Commission on the Status of Women, established by the United Nations in 2013, seeks to eliminate and prevent all forms of violence against women and girls. So far, it doesn’t appear to have had much of an impact. Money and effort need to be expended to understand what is behind femicide. In Latin America, the male concept of “machismo,” combined with changing roles of women in economic life and widespread poverty, most certainly are contributing factors to the epidemic. There may be many possible solutions, and the UN’s Commission needs to research the causes and come up with plans to eliminate femicide.

However, legal action needs to be taken now. Aggressive police action and prosecution of those who commit violence must be initiated. Governments around the world must understand that their first duty is the protection of their citizens – of both genders. The protest movement sparked by Lucia Perez’ murder must become a continuing movement to bring pressure on governments to do their jobs. And those in the United States. need to lend their voices to Latin America calling for protection and prosecution because everyone deserves the right to walk home feeling free, not just brave.