Comparison between Germany and Mexico: How Do Patriarchal Attitudes Influence Femicides?

Even after the ratification of the Istanbul Convention and the Inter-American Convention on the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence Against Women, femicide is still one of the most common causes of death among women and girls worldwide. Femicide refers to the killing of a woman or a girl for gender-specific reasons and can be linked to the attribution of roles or characteristics. Research shows that high femicide rates can be associated with a high tolerance of violence against women in general, as well as with a sense of control and ownership and hierarchical gender relations. It is therefore necessary to take a closer look at patriarchal attitudes, i.e. society’s prevailing views on gender roles and gender inequality, and to examine them as a potential cause of femicide. A comparison of culturally different countries is useful in order to understand their influences.

In a socio-cultural approach, this research focuses on patriarchal attitudes as a cause of femicide, based on Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model. It presents preliminary findings from a comparative file analysis in Germany and Mexico. The data is analysed with a focus on individual patriarchal attitudes of the perpetrators. The aim is to identify individual justification and neutralisation strategies behind femicides in two culturally different countries.

The results will be discussed with regards to socially embedded narratives and argumentation patterns and compared between the two countries being analysed. Recommendations for effective prevention measures that address patriarchal ways of thinking will be derived from this.