Féminicide : nommer pour exister

Abstract

From an anthropological and feminist theoretical perspective, this article analyzes proposals for the typification of feminicide, as debated in Brazil, which resulted in the new qualifier included in the country’s Penal Code. The article reports and argues about the importance of explicit feminist identification of gender violence and femicide. Such identification produces a narrative that runs counter-hegemonically to the understanding of crimes of passion. By introducing itself into legal language, this terminology established new configurations of legal clashes and introduced changes in social and cultural perception of ways to how to prevent gender-based violence and reverse the banalization of femicide.

Keywords

• feminicide
• gender violence
• legal practices
• domestic violence law
• hegemonic masculinity
• legislation and power