Colombia’s Ombudsman Reports 745 Femicides in First Ten Months of 2024
“No more Feminicides”, Photo: @aporrea
December 17, 2024 Hour: 9:23 pm
The Colombian Ombudsman’s Office reported a stark increase in gender-based violence, documenting 745 femicides between January and October 2024. This figure includes 44 femicides of girls and 11 of transgender individuals.
Related:
Colombia: Petro Calls for the Return of Colombian Mercenaries in Sudan
The report also details a surge in other forms of violence against women. From January to September, authorities registered 26,605 cases of domestic violence and 33 cases of human trafficking—a 26% increase compared to 2023 figures.
The Ombudsman highlighted prevalent issues such as sexual violence, forced displacement linked to family member recruitment by armed groups, human trafficking, labor and sexual exploitation, intimidation, and threats.
Since 2017, the Ombudsman has issued 325 early warning alerts, 205 of which specifically address the risks faced by women due to escalating violence. Antioquia, with 110 cases, reported the highest number of femicides, followed by Atlántico and Valle del Cauca, each with 66.
The report also underscores the persistent underrepresentation of women in politics. Only 146 of Colombia’s 1,098 municipalities have female mayors, representing 13.3% of the total.
Jenny Flores, a member of the National Platform of Women and Somos Tierra, shared her experience with teleSUR, stating she has received threats for advocating for land rights and the rights of marginalized communities. She identified her alleged aggressors as retired Colonel Mauricio Torres and the romantic partner of the widow of Olmedo Campos, a drug trafficker.
Ombudsman Iris Marín Ortiz called for improvements in the response to early warning alerts and collaboration with affected regions to strengthen community protection measures, emphasizing the need for collective, not just individual, protection. She concluded with the statement, “In the face of fear, creativity and solidarity. Never silence.”
Autor: OSG
Fuente: Defensoría del Pueblo
