Delito de femicidio. Muerte violenta de mujeres por razones de género

the aim of this article is to discuss femicide as a gender-specific crime. it affords a feminist analysis on the conceptual dimensions of the crime; it includes the main arguments explored in latin america, examines different aspects defended by feminists and women movement activists, discusses some reactions to the crime and considers the general structure of this crime in six countries: costa rica (special law, 2007), guatemala (special law, 2008), mexico (general law, 2007), el salvador (special and integral law, 2010), colombia and chile (reforms to criminal laws, 2008 and 2010). the criminal issue has provoked numerous debates in the judicial and legislatives bodies and it has opened new ways to continue the critical research of this kind of gender violence against women's bodies and women's right to live their lives without violence.