| Summary: | The inter american convention to eradicate all violence against women (also known as Convención de Belém do Pará, signed in 1994 ) was the first international treaty which purpose is to assure women a life free from physical, psychological and/or other forms of violence. In that sense, it actually turns the debate of men’s violence against women into a human rights debate. In this paper I will analyze how Latin American countries are coping with their obligations from Convención de Belém do Pará from a comparative legal studies perspective. I will discuss how gendered violence, femicides and attempted femicide is addressed in the national legal codes of fou Latin American countries. I will use a comparative legal method and attempt to point to historical, social, cultural and political explanations behind legislation in these countries in the aftermath of Belem Do Para. Finally, I will point to that I find that there are several key areas that are neglected currently in Latin America’s legislations. Firstly, prevention is not given enough room in current legislations. Furthermore, specifically vulnerable groups (i.e. sex workers, minorities, poor women, rural women et cetera) are not in any country provided with special protection. Also, the judiciary dealing with violence against women in Latin America, mainly lack special preparation to investigate and advice on gendered violence in general, and deadly gendered violence (femicides) in particular. Nevertheless, the overall development of inclusion of legislation targeting femicides is positive, and further steps to expand the current protection should be encouraged throughout the region.
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