Until the month of July (first semester of the year), 20 cases of femicide had already been registered in Paraguay. The victims were between 16 and 52 years old, and 17 of them had children. Thus, some 42 children will be orphaned in 2022, of which 29 are minors.
This year started with two cases of femicide in January and, in February, this number rose to four. In March one more was recorded, in April three other events were reported and in May there were two. June was the month in which more cases of femicides were reported, reaching a figure of seven. In the month of July, one case was already recorded.
Central is the area where the most cases were recorded, with a total of seven events. In the departments of Concepción and Itapúa, two each were reported, while in the areas of Cordillera, San Pedro, Canindeyú, Caazapá, Alto Paraná, Ñeembucú, Paraguarí and Asunción, one case was recorded in each.
Regarding the situation of the aggressor, 15 were charged, two are fugitives and two committed suicide, according to data from the Public Ministry.
The latest event was recorded last Friday in the city of Villa Elisa, Central Department, in which a young woman identified as Blanca Amarilla, 19, died after being shot by a firearm at neck height. The main suspect it is his partner Gino Rodrigo Ruiz Díaz Valiente, 22, who fled, but was later recaptured by police officers.
INCREASE OF
VIOLENCE
The head of the Ministry of Women, Celina Lezcano, recalled that during the first half of 2021 the number of femicides rose to 16, but this year 19 have already been counted, which shows the increase in violence against women.
“Issues of femicide and violence require a multidisciplinary team. It is important that we continue to strengthen the prevention of cases of violence, the speed of attention and compliance with Law 5,777, which is very important”, she stressed.
In relation to the wave of femicides, Lezcano analyzed that there are various “sociocultural factors” that trigger acts of violence.
“We have the enhancers like alcohol, economic stress, lack of communication from the couple, loss of family values. There are many factors,” she maintained.
LITTLE CONVICTION
According to a report presented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and UN Women, until last year only 22 cases of femicide were convicted.
“Each institution has a commitment and a responsibility in terms of compliance with the law. For this reason, we are always talking about the responsibility regarding awareness and awareness of what Law 5777 says and the work we have to do from the three powers of the State”, he stressed.
In this sense, the head of the Ministry of Women emphasized the importance of having the support of Governments and municipalities to react more quickly to cases of violence. Thus, she stressed the need to strengthen the National Police, the Police Stations and the specialized unit against family violence, which the Public Ministry has.
“For us it is essential that we can rebuild that social fabric. This is everyone’s commitment so that women can feel contained, provide them with support, security and, above all, support in the face of a case of violence,” she asserted.
ALARM SIGNS
Lezcano recalled that, in different contexts, any action that tries to “reduce or restrict their freedoms” represents a sign of alarm for women.
“Respect for the autonomy of women is vital, that they do not feel harassed and their rights violated, that they can be truly free and decide in their lives. Respect and tolerance are the basic principles. Women really should have that real autonomy to decide about their lives”; she concluded.
HELP LINE
The 137 SOS Woman line is a free line that can be used from any telephony, on a landline or mobile device.
Those interested in making complaints can approach the Specialized Unit for the Fight against Family Violence of the Public Ministry or by calling (0800) 11 47000. You can also make the report at the nearest police station. The Ministry of Women also has shelters to preserve the integrity of women, such as, for example, the “Mercedes Sandoval” which is located in the Central department, where it has comprehensive psychological containment assistance and legal support in accordance with each case. particular case.
