Femcide

Femicide as a term was first used in 1800s in Britain to describe the killings of women. A widely accepted and modern day explanation was developed by Diana Russell in the 1970s to explain the killing of women based on their gender. Femicide is often contrasted with its gender neutral counterpart, "homicide." This entry briefly describes the nature of femicide by reporting few statistics and situational contexts. Women can be targeted for different reasons like dowry, trafficking, racism, and killings in the name of honor. Often femicide has religious or familial sanction and hence goes unreported. The most common context is killings perpetuated by intimate partners. This accounts for nearly 35 percent of killings worldwide. The entry concludes by focusing on multifaceted efforts like implementing legislation for crime against women, promoting awareness, and empowering women that may help in reducing the incidence of femicide.