A Deadly Silence

In recent years, the alarming rise of femicide, defined as the intentional killing of women because of their gender, has led many to label this crisis as a global pandemic. The brutal murders of women worldwide have sparked outrage, protests, and calls for justice, yet the violence continues unabated. This issue transcends borders, cultures, and economic systems, making it clear that femicide is a global emergency that demands immediate attention and action.

"When women’s lives are devalued, violence is inevitable." – Eve Ensler

From North America to South Asia, Europe to Latin America, women are being killed for no other reason than their gender. Cases like those of Christianah, Heaven Awot, and Moumita Debnath, three women who tragically lost their lives to gender-based violence, are painful reminders of the devastating impact of femicide. These senseless acts of violence have left families shattered and communities in grief, sparking movements demanding #JusticeForChristianah, #JusticeForHeavenAwot, and #JusticeForMoumitaDebnath.

The Global Scale of Femicide

Femicide leaves an indelible mark on the lives of countless families. The tragic stories of Christianah Idowu, Heaven Awot, and Dr. Moumita Debnath bring this horrific reality into stark focus, each life representing not just a victim, but a devastating loss to society.

• Christianah Idowu was a promising young student, eager to learn and grow as she embarked on her internship. With dreams for the future, her life was brutally taken in a moment that shattered her family and friends. Her death has sparked the powerful movement of #JusticeForChristianah, demanding justice for a life cut tragically short.

• Heaven Awot, a mere 7-year-old child, was full of innocence and wonder, just beginning to experience life. Her senseless murder has left a community heartbroken, and the hashtag #JusticeForHeavenAwot has become a symbol for the protection of children, highlighting the urgent need for justice in her case.

• Dr. Moumita Debnath was a dedicated doctor, working tirelessly to help others. While simply trying to rest during a nap, her life was abruptly ended in an act of violence that has outraged many. #JusticeForMoumitaDebnath has become a rallying cry, demanding accountability for the heinous crime that stole her life.

Each of these women’s stories shines a painful light on the broader pandemic of femicide, a crisis that demands immediate action and justice.
Femicide has reached epidemic proportions across the globe. In Mexico, where nearly 10 women are murdered every day, the government declared a national emergency in 2022. Across Latin America, countries like El Salvador and Brazil have also experienced skyrocketing femicide rates. In El Salvador, the femicide rate stands at 13.9 per 100,000 women, one of the highest in the world.
In Europe, France, Turkey, and Spain have seen similar increases. In France alone, 122 women were murdered by their partners in 2021, an alarming indicator of domestic violence turned deadly. Turkey has witnessed widespread protests over femicide, especially after the country's withdrawal from the Istanbul Convention, a human rights treaty designed to protect women from violence.
Sub-Saharan Africa is also grappling with femicide at an unprecedented scale. In South Africa, femicide rates are five times the global average, and high-profile cases like that of Tshegofatso Pule have brought the crisis into sharp focus. Meanwhile, in parts of South Asia, dowry-related killings and honor killings are pervasive, with many cases never even making headlines.

"The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil, but by those who watch them without doing anything." – Albert Einstein

In India, for example, Moumita Debnath's tragic death is emblematic of a larger problem, where societal norms and pressures related to dowry claims are leading to the violent deaths of countless women. The outcry for #JusticeForMoumitaDebnath is part of a broader demand to reform cultural norms that allow such violence to persist.

Femicide and the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has only intensified this global epidemic of femicide. Lockdown measures, while necessary to contain the virus, trapped countless women in abusive households with violent partners. The United Nations called this surge in gender-based violence a "shadow pandemic." In countries like Argentina, reports of femicide spiked dramatically during quarantine, while domestic violence hotlines across Europe reported a 30-50% increase in calls.
The cases of Christianah and Heaven Awot highlight the vulnerability of women during these times. Both women, victims of domestic violence, were murdered by men they trusted. Their deaths have prompted widespread social media campaigns, with #JusticeForChristianah and #JusticeForHeavenAwot trending in a call to hold their perpetrators accountable.

The Root Causes of Femicide

The root causes of femicide are complex, but they often stem from deeply entrenched patriarchal norms and gender inequality. In many cultures, women are viewed as the property of men, and attempts to assert independence or autonomy are met with violence. The normalization of domestic abuse and the lack of robust legal frameworks to protect women only worsen the problem.
Femicide is often an extension of domestic violence, where power and control dynamics escalate to lethal consequences. Additionally, harmful cultural practices such as honor killings, dowry violence, and even human trafficking contribute to the overall rates of femicide. In countries like India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan, women are still murdered for bringing "shame" to their families or communities, an unjustifiable and brutal custom.
Moreover, global impunity allows perpetrators to commit these heinous acts with little fear of retribution. Weak legal systems, inadequate law enforcement responses, and cultural taboos around discussing domestic violence further exacerbate the situation.

The Fight for Justice

The international response to femicide has been insufficient. Protests have erupted in various countries, calling for stronger laws, better enforcement, and an end to impunity. The voices behind #JusticeForChristianah, #JusticeForHeavenAwot, and #JusticeForMoumitaDebnath are part of a global movement demanding accountability and change.
In many cases, the legal systems fail women long before they are murdered. Complaints of domestic violence go unheeded, restraining orders are ignored, and there are few shelters or resources for women trying to escape abusive situations. Even when femicide is prosecuted, sentences are often light, and many perpetrators are freed within years, reinforcing the perception that women's lives are less valuable.
Yet, the fight continues. In Latin America, women have organized mass protests like the Ni Una Menos (Not One Less) movement, demanding an end to femicide and systemic violence against women. In Europe, organizations are pushing governments to adopt stricter laws and provide better support for victims of gender-based violence.

"We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced." – Malala Yousafzai

In South Asia, reform efforts are focusing on eliminating harmful practices like dowry-related violence, ensuring justice for victims like Moumita Debnath.

What Needs to Be Done?

1. Stronger Legal Protections: Governments must enforce laws that protect women from domestic violence, harassment, and gender-based killings. Feminicide, as it's defined in Latin America, needs to be incorporated into legal systems worldwide to ensure justice for victims.
2. Global Awareness and Advocacy: The hashtag movements, including #JusticeForChristianah, #JusticeForHeavenAwot, and #JusticeForMoumitaDebnath, have brought much-needed attention to femicide. Still, sustained global advocacy is required to keep this issue at the forefront of human rights discussions.
3. Support for Survivors: Women need access to resources, shelters, and counseling services to help them escape abusive situations before violence escalates to murder.
4. Education and Cultural Change: Long-term change requires a shift in societal attitudes toward women and girls. Education on gender equality and non-violence is crucial in reducing femicide rates worldwide.
5. Accountability for Perpetrators: Impunity for gender-based violence must end. Perpetrators of femicide should face severe legal consequences, and governments should strengthen law enforcement to ensure that all cases of domestic violence and gender-based killings are fully investigated.

Conclusion

Femicide is not just a regional or isolated issue, it is a global pandemic that cuts across cultures, continents, and classes.

What were their crimes? Men who make excuses for this type of evil say things like oh they dressed indecently, they seduced the men, etc but what was the crime of a Dr who helped people for a living?, what was the crime of a 7 year old child did she dress indecently too?, what was the crime of a girl in the university trying to make something of herself and make her parents proud? again I ask, WHAT WERE THEIR CRIMES? 

The tragic deaths of Christianah, Heaven Awot, and Moumita Debnath remind us that the fight against gender-based violence is far from over. To truly achieve justice for all women, we must continue to demand accountability, strengthen legal protections, and work toward a world where no woman loses her life simply because of her gender. There are many more women who are yet to receive justice from this evil act but let us all try to remember their names.
#JusticeForChristianah #JusticeForHeavenAwot #JusticeForMoumitaDebnath