These new femicides “reveal a setback in policy.” Image: Rosario file12.

During his participation in the Davos World Economic Forum, Argentine President Javier Milei generated controversy by criticizing feminism and criminalization of femicide. In his speech, Milei stated that feminism “distorts the concept of equality” and seeks “privileges”, arguing that equality before the law already exists in the West. He also questioned the validity of the figure of femicide, claiming that she “legalizes that a woman’s life is worth more than that of a man.”

The statements were widely criticized by human rights organizations and feminist movements, which warned of the risk of setbacks in women’s protection policies. Hours later, the Minister of Justice, Mariano Cunneo Libarona, confirmed that the government intends to eliminate the figure of femicide of the Penal Code, reinforcing Milei’s speech.

Read also: Argentina will make, on Saturday, antifascist march and anti -racist convened by LGTB+

What does the elimination of femicide mean?

The figure of femicide was included in the Argentine Penal Code in 2012, through Law No. 26,791, as an aggravating circumstance of the murder. The legislation provides for a penalty of life imprisonment for crimes committed against women, adolescents and girls due to their gender condition. The measure was an advance in the fight against gender violence, which reaches alarming levels in the country.

According to a UN Women report, Argentina is one of the 15 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean who have specific laws for criminalizing femicide. The elimination of this figure would put the country next to Cuba and Haiti, the only ones in the region that do not have similar legislation.

Impact on protection policies for women

The Malei government has already paid all government programs to protect women against gender violence, such as the telephone reports channel

The government’s proposal to eliminate femicide occurs in a context of increasing gender violence in Argentina. Data from the “Ahora that Sess Nos” Observatory reveal that in 2024 there was a femicide every 33 hours, totaling 267 cases in the year. In 2025, the situation worsened, with femicide every 20 hours.

Feminist organizations warn that the measure can further unprotect women, especially in a scenario where public policies to prevent and combat gender violence are already being dismantled. Since assuming the government, Milei has extinguished the Ministry of Women, Gender and Diversity, has been denying line 144 care to victims of violence and reduced support programs for women and LGBTQIA+populations.

Reactions and criticism of the proposal

The proposal to eliminate femicide was widely rejected by social movements, experts and human rights organizations. Victoria Aguirre, Mumálá National spokesman, stressed that the measure represents a historical setback. “While the government celebrates the elimination of gender policies, women are still murdered every day. We need more protection, not less, ”he said.

UN Women also manifested itself against the proposal, recommending that countries adopt comprehensive laws against gender violence and integrate the gender perspective in their legal systems. The organization pointed out that the criminalization of femicide is essential to combat misogyny and structural discrimination against women.

Consequences for Argentine society

The elimination of femicide can have deep impacts on Argentine society, especially for vulnerable women. Without the specific legal figure, cases of gender -motivated murders can be treated as common homicides, which makes the punishment of aggressors difficult and the protection of the victims.

In addition, the measure may discourage complaints and reduce the visibility of the problem. Data from the Salta Gender Violence Observatory show that by 2024 only 12% of femicide victims had denounced their aggressors, the lowest rate in the last five years. The lack of effective public policies and government discourse contrary to women’s rights aggravate the situation.

A dangerous setback

The government’s proposal to eliminate the figure of femicide represents a dangerous setback in the struggle for women’s rights in Argentina. In a country where gender violence continues to reap lives daily, the measure can unprotect thousands of women and girls, as well as send a message of impunity to the aggressors.

Next Saturday (1), a large antifascist march was called by LGBT+rights movements, due to Milei’s homophobic and misogynic manifestations in Davos. It will be the first major demonstrations that will unite all union centrals and social movements in all Argentine provinces, since the beginning of the Milei government and their attacks on workers’ rights.

Source: vermelho.org.br



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