Study of the conceptual perception in women about femicide in Paraguay

Abstract

This article analyses the perception of women regarding the terminology used in socio-cultural context related to gender-based homicide. Its main objective is to determine the level of knowledge that women have on femicide and how it differs from homicide. In this sense, the research has a descriptive-exploratory scope, qualitative approach, for it intended to comprehend the perception on femicide and the distinctive features in contrast with homicide. This is a less structured methodology that enabled to collect detailed information on the underlying reasoning and motivations. The technique used for data collection was a survey with close-ended questions and unique responses. The selected population consisted of 18 to 62 years old women -106 in total- from Coronel Oviedo and surrounding cities, as well as Paraguay’s capital city, most of the women had higher education degrees. The results show that women differentiate the concepts, but do not recognize their elements. According to the findings, the women became aware of the theme by means of mass media, and with regard to the severity of both types of crime, the assess it as equally bad. This paper also includes statistic analyze that demonstrate the decrease of cases over the past five years; the progress of the legislation and how the State faces this crime.