Guatemala tops femicide list...I guess

We all know Guatemala is a dangerous country, particularly for women. However, using the title Guatemala tops ‘femicide’ list in Central America just isn't really that accurate.

During the past decade, the number of women appearing in these articles has been rapidly increasing – so much so that a recent report found that more femicides occur in Guatemala than in any other country in Central America. A study by human rights organizations across the region found that in the past year 707 women have been murdered in Guatemala, followed by 606 in Honduras and 321 in El Salvador.

What's missing? Population, of course. Guatemala's population is approximately 15.5 million. El Salvador's population is about 6.2 million. And Honduras' population is about 8 million.

So there were about 9 women murdered per 100,000 women in Guatemala (based on an estimated 7.75 million women). There were about 10 women murdered per 100,000 women in El Salvador (based on an estimated 3.1 million women). And there were about 15 women murdered per 100,000 women in Honduras (based on an estimated 4 million women).

When looking at total murders, Guatemala looks like the most violent country among the three. That is why it tops the "femicide" list. However, once population is taken into account, it clearly is not.

And the 707 number is not just homicides but includes other violent deaths. The National Civilian Police reported fewer than 600 murders of women in Guatemala in 2012 (7.75 per 100,000). Don't get me started on the fact that the numbers also show femicide, after peaking in 2009, decreased in Guatemala in 2010, in 2011, and again in 2012. I know that it might be higher this year but that doesn't mean we shouldn't accurately describe the past.

And none of this makes Guatemala a safe place for women...we know that it is not. Being less violent than El Salvador and Honduras should not be the yardstick for measuring insecurity.