The implementation of President Nayib Bukele’s Plan Control Territorial has led to a substantial reduction in feminicides in El Salvador, dropping from 113 in 2019 to a mere 27 in 2023. This success is a testament to the effectiveness of the government’s security strategy, which has not only historically decreased overall homicides but also addressed the pressing issue of violence against women.
Since its initiation in June 2019, President Bukele’s security plan has achieved unprecedented results, marking a turning point in the nation’s fight against femicide. The official statistics reveal a steady decline over the years, with 113 women murdered in 2019, 73 in 2020, 68 in 2021, 63 in 2022, and the lowest recorded number of 27 in the recently concluded year.
The administration’s security strategy has been particularly significant when considering the alarming rates of feminicide in 2016 and 2017, which stood at 16 and 12 per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively, surpassing the international threshold for an epidemic.
According to data from the Attorney General’s Office (FGR), between January 1, 2015, and November 9, 2020, a total of 1,209 women fell victim to violent crimes. The statistics attribute 492 feminicides to gangs, 145 to social violence/crime, 124 to intrafamily violence, drugs, and confrontations with authorities each, and 446 deaths without a defined category.
Notably, firearms were the most common method of assault, accounting for 824 cases, followed by 197 with bladed weapons, 67 with blunt objects, and 103 with other weapons, while 19 cases remain unclassified.
In response to the urgent need for legal measures, the Legislative Assembly approved amendments to the Criminal Procedure Code and the Special Comprehensive Law for a Life Free of Violence for Women (LEIV) in February of last year. These reforms abolished the statute of limitations for feminicide and aggravated feminicide, providing crucial legal tools for institutions such as the Attorney General’s Office and Specialized Courts for a Life Free of Violence for Women.
The legislative changes not only strengthened the protection of Salvadoran women but also ensured that perpetrators of feminicide could be prosecuted to the fullest extent. Penalties for feminicides were increased from 20 to 35 years in prison, and the current lawmakers from Nuevas Ideas endorsed processes to prevent this crime from becoming time-barred.
El Salvador’s commitment to addressing feminicide through a comprehensive security plan and legal reforms marks a substantial step forward in safeguarding the lives of women and combating gender-based violence.