By Brendalis Puig
Every 11 minutes a woman is killed in her home, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, showing that even within the safety of their homes women have something to fear.
Femicide refers to intentionally killing women and girls based on their gender, often motivated by misogyny, inequality, or societal norms that see women as inferior.
The last couple of months have unveiled a series of devastating cases of femicide, with each heartbreaking story adding a tragic chapter to the ongoing crisis. As femicide cases continue to emerge with alarming frequency, these cases expose disturbing patterns of violence driven by misogyny, sexism and the rise of “red pill” content as key contributing factors.
Femicide is a universal problem that affects women and young girls in all corners of the world. In 2022, UN Women reported 89,000 women and girls were intentionally killed worldwide, marking the highest number in the past two decades. An alarming number of these cases happened at the hands of their intimate partners or family members.
A recent case that has taken the world by surprise was the death of 33-year-old Ugandan Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei, who was set on fire by Dickson Ndiema, her ex-boyfriend, in her house in western Kenya following an argument about the land on which the house lies.
On Sept. 10, The Washington Post reported that Cheptegei’s father confessed his daughter reported her former partner to the police for domestic violence, but they were too slow to respond. Her tragic death serves as a reminder of how established misogyny manifests itself with violence and how critical it is for law enforcement to act quickly on cases reported.
The rape and murder of Moumita Debnath, a 31-year-old trainee doctor in Kolkata, India, on Aug. 9 sparked strong public outrage. BBC Hindi declared that the victim was found with some of her clothing missing in the seminar hall covered in injuries. The cruelty of this case has caused massive protests in several cities as doctors in India demand higher protection for female doctors.
Expressing the importance of being prepared, Katrina Lyn Kee Chow, a senior majoring in television and digital media, stated, “With all the cases that have been happening, as a woman, it crosses my mind that anything can happen; that’s why wherever I go I always carry pepper spray and a whistle to protect myself.”
Lyn Kee Chow highlights the disturbing reality of women constantly fearing for their safety. While it is important to be prepared in case of an emergency, her carrying pepper spray and a whistle to protect herself exemplifies need for a society where women can freely live their lives without fear.
A significant factor that contributes to the rise of femicide cases is the influence of misogynistic ideologies, such as “red pill” content promoting anti-feminism and male supremacy views online.
A 2023 study published by the Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment, and Trauma revealed that the consumption of “red pill” content promoted animosity and beliefs of women being intellectual inferior. Multiple female participants were sometimes forced by their partners to take IQ tests and labeled as dishonest, unfaithful, and only looking to date rich men.
Kady "Miami" Thermidor, a junior majoring in communication and media studies, shared her thoughts and expressed how important it is for women to look out for each other.
“Now more than ever are women more visible than they’ve been. I really think more women need to get involved with the women’s movement, and because we are women, we should want to help other women, and I like to think of it as sisterhood. We need to look out for each other,” said Thermidor.
In France, the case of Gisèle Pélicot has been one of the most shocking cases of this year as she was drugged by her now ex-husband, who would invite other men to rape her while being unconscious.
Alongside Dominique Pélicot, her ex-husband, there are over 50 other men involved in this case who currently stand on trial and could face up to 20 years in prison on charges of aggravated assault.
The Associated Press revealed that they do not normally identify victims of sexual crimes, however, Gisèle Pélicot wanted her name publicized and insisted that her trial be public to raise awareness and focus the blame on the perpetrator.
Grace Steffan, a criminology senior, points out important characteristics of victim blaming that occur in crimes.
“The simultaneous occurrence of silencing women via methods such as victim blaming and the passing of oppressive laws paired with ineffective methods for persecuting perpetrators of femicide, it is no wonder that cases of violence against women are increasing,” said Steffan.
In Florida, a first-time offense without aggravating factors is classified as a second-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. However, that does not mean a person will serve for the 60 days if charged, as in most cases, they are let loose in less than 15 days. In most cases, relating to crimes against women, men are often overprotected.
Advocating for change, confronting misogyny and sexism, and educating individuals on the negative effects of spreading “red pill” content online are key to creating a safer environment for women.
A way to advocate for social justice here at Barry University is by participating in the College Brides Walk, an event usually held in spring to raise awareness and support for victims of dating and domestic violence across college campuses, promoting and advocating for a safe environment for women.
As a mother of two little girls , I do pray and hope for change for the near future. This has to end, not only in our Country but also around the world.