Author(s): Elizabeth Parret
Mentor(s): Benjamin Cluff
Institution BYU
The normal bustle of Cali Street, Colombia is transformed and organized as women dressed in purple march among buildings. There is an air of determination, strength, and desperation; the march is to speak out against femicide. Femicide, the gender-based killing of women, remains a severe crisis in Colombia, a country considered to be a more developed region yet plagued by violence and stalled peace processes. This constant threat of violence has turned both public spaces and private homes into dangerous environments for women creating a culture of violence that has originated in Colombia's tumultuous history, persisted through the armed conflicts of the 20th century, and continues to shape societal attitudes today. Recent studies suggest that Colombia's ongoing violence fosters a culture of aggression, particularly among youth. Research by Mary E. Schwab-Stone and others highlights how exposure to violence in urban communities breeds increased aggression, a diminished sense of risk, and a lower regard for life. This pattern is particularly concerning among Colombia's youth, as the normalization of violence leads to escalating gender-based violence, including femicide. Social scientists have further explored the link between the growing violence and the vulnerability of women, especially younger women who are more likely to become victims of domestic and sexual violence. This paper examines the cyclical relationship between violence and femicide in Colombia, focusing on the psychological and social effects on youth and women, and the legal framework that perpetuates gender-based violence. By analyzing recent media coverage, protests, and legal perceptions of femicide, this paper explores how the culture of violence is perceived, confronted, and even accepted by Colombian society. The analysis aims to shed light on the persistent and deepening crisis of femicide in Colombia, exploring the role of cultural, social, and legal factors in perpetuating this epidemic.