On November 25, 2024, a significant protest unfolded in Quito, Ecuador, as women from various organizations gathered to demand justice for victims of femicide. Marking the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the demonstration was a powerful response to the country’s escalating femicide crisis. This year, official records reported 189 femicides, a grim statistic that underscored the urgency of the protesters’ call for action.

The march, organized by a coalition of women’s rights groups, human rights organizations, and community activists, highlighted the systemic failures in addressing gender-based violence. Demonstrators carried signs, chanted slogans, and paused in somber reflection to honor the victims, while voicing their demand for stronger protective measures and legal reforms.

Protesters accused the Ecuadorian government of not doing enough to combat the rising tide of violence against women. They pointed to the inadequacies in the judicial system and law enforcement, which, they argued, have left many victims without recourse or justice. The protest was part of a larger movement across the country, where calls for urgent legislative action and more effective law enforcement had been growing louder.

The event served as both a remembrance of those lost to femicide and a call for long-term change. It brought attention not only to the high number of femicides but also to the deeply ingrained societal issues that perpetuate such violence. The protesters in Quito underscored their determination to fight for a safer and more just society for women, sending a clear message that the battle against gender-based violence would continue until substantial changes were made.

Agencies.