Regulation and effectiveness of femicide in Ecuadorian criminal law: challenges and legal perspectives

Authors

Keywords:

Femicide, gender-based violence, women's rights, criminal justice, structural discrimination

Abstract

This study analyzes the issue of femicide in Ecuador and its regulation in the Comprehensive Organic Penal Code (COIP), with a special emphasis on the violation of gender rights and the application of justice in indigenous communities and the ordinary system. The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the current criminal regulations and their impact on the protection of women's rights, identifying inconsistencies in the administration of justice. The methodology employed follows a qualitative approach, based on the documentary analysis of legislation, doctrine, jurisprudence, and recent studies, complemented by an interview with a criminal law expert. The results show that the classification of femicide as an autonomous crime has represented a legal advance, but gaps in its application persist, especially in indigenous communities, where customary justice does not always guarantee effective protection for victims. Additionally, it is observed that gender-based violence continues to be normalized in certain environments, making it difficult to report and access protection mechanisms. It is concluded that it is necessary to strengthen the harmonization between indigenous and ordinary justice, guaranteeing the principle of equality before the law. Likewise, it is recommended to improve the protocols for the prevention and punishment of femicide, promoting public policies that reduce impunity and provide greater security for Ecuadorian women, regardless of their ethnic origin or socio-cultural context.

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References

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Published

2025-08-16

Issue

Vol. 3 No. 3 (2025): Desafíos contemporáneos en la sociedad global: perspectivas jurídicas, educativas y tecnológicas (Septiembre-diciembre)

Section

Artículos

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Copyright (c) 2025 Víctor Hugo Sango-Vilca, Renzo Daniel Changobalin-Malusin, Etsa Antonio Chumap-Shik, Iruma Alfonso-González

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