When Escaping Abuse Becomes a Citizenship Test – Time Magazine

Report on Gender-Based Violence in El Salvador and its Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Executive Summary

El Salvador is experiencing a severe crisis of gender-based violence, which presents a significant obstacle to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The prevalence of femicide, sexual assault, and intimate partner violence directly contravenes the objectives of SDG 5 (Gender Equality). Furthermore, systemic failures within the justice system and the pervasive influence of gang violence undermine SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions). The profound psychological trauma inflicted upon victims, highlighted by the unique crime of “femicide suicide,” also poses a challenge to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). This report analyzes the scale of the problem, its root causes, the institutional response, and the international implications, particularly concerning migration and asylum.

The Scale of the Crisis: A Challenge to SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

The rate of violence against women in El Salvador is among the highest in the world, indicating a critical failure to meet SDG Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls. The scope of the issue is demonstrated by the following data:

• Femicide Rate: In 2018, one woman was a victim of femicide approximately every 24 hours.
• Prevalence of Violence: A 2017 national survey found that 67% of Salvadoran women have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime.
• Underreporting: Only 6% of victims reported abuse to authorities, citing fear, lack of access to services, and the normalization of violence as primary barriers.

The Unique Challenge of “Femicide Suicide” and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being)

El Salvador is the only country to legally recognize “femicide suicide,” defined as the crime of driving a woman to suicide through abuse. This legislation acknowledges the severe psychological damage that constitutes a threat to SDG Target 3.4, which aims to promote mental health and well-being.

1. In the first six months of 2018, government statistics indicated that 51 of 285 femicides were suicides.
2. The majority of these cases involve women and girls under the age of 24.

Institutional Response and the Pursuit of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

While the Salvadoran government has made efforts to address gender-based violence, significant challenges remain in providing access to justice for all, a core tenet of SDG 16. In 2018, a new unit was created to oversee crimes against women and other vulnerable groups, and total femicides fell between 2017 and 2019. However, progress is severely hampered by systemic weaknesses.

Obstacles to Justice

• Impunity: A culture of impunity persists, with fear of retaliation against prosecutors hindering investigations.
• Low Prosecution Rates: According to the U.N., only a quarter of femicide cases proceed to court.
• Low Conviction Rates: A mere 7% of femicide cases result in a conviction.
• Lack of Enforcement: Since the “femicide suicide” law was enacted in 2012, only 60 cases have been investigated, with just one resulting in charges.

Root Causes and Compounding Factors

The Nexus of Gang Violence and Gender Inequality (SDG 5 & SDG 16)

The violence is rooted in a combination of a patriarchal social structure and a pervasive, violent gang culture. Gangs, such as MS-13, view women as sexual objects and property, perpetuating a cycle of abuse that directly undermines both gender equality (SDG 5) and peace and security (SDG 16). The country’s overall homicide rate was the second highest in Latin America in 2018, creating an environment where violence against women is often rendered invisible.

Historical Context: Civil War and Deportations

The current security crisis is linked to the country’s 12-year civil war. The conflict led to mass emigration to the United States, where some Salvadorans formed gangs. The subsequent deportation of thousands of gang members back to a post-war El Salvador with depleted institutions fueled the growth of organized crime. By 2018, MS-13 was active in 94% of the nation’s municipalities, overwhelming the state’s capacity to ensure rule of law as envisioned in SDG 16.

International Dimensions: Migration and Policy Impacts

Gender-Based Violence as a Primary Driver of Migration

The inability of the state to protect women from violence is a major factor driving migration from El Salvador to the United States. In 2016 alone, an estimated 65,000 women from the Northern Triangle region, including El Salvador, sought asylum in the U.S. after fleeing gender-based violence.

Challenges to International Protection and Aid

Salvadoran women face significant uncertainty in the U.S. asylum system, with policy changes attempting to disqualify domestic and gang violence as grounds for asylum. Furthermore, cuts to U.S. foreign aid to the region threaten to undermine programs designed to reduce violence against women, potentially worsening the conditions that drive migration and further impeding progress on the SDGs.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • The article’s central theme is the pervasive issue of gender-based violence in El Salvador. It explicitly discusses femicide, sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and abuse by family members, which are direct violations of gender equality. The text states, “one woman was the victim of a femicide… every 24 hours in 2018,” and “Sixty-seven percent of Salvadoran women have suffered some form of violence in their lifetime,” directly connecting the country’s problems to the core mission of SDG 5.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article highlights a systemic failure of justice and weak institutions. It points to high overall violence with “51 murders for every 100,000 inhabitants in 2018,” widespread gang activity, and a climate of impunity. The text notes that “only a quarter of femicide cases make it to court and only 7% result in convictions,” and that prosecutors fear retaliation. This demonstrates a lack of access to justice and ineffective institutions, which are key concerns of SDG 16.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article addresses the severe psychological impact of gender-based violence, leading to suicide. It uniquely discusses El Salvador’s law against “femicide suicide,” which recognizes “the psychological damage suffered by victims.” The statistic that “51 of the 285 femicides that occurred in the first six months of 2018 were suicides” directly links the violence to mental health outcomes and mortality, which falls under the purview of SDG 3.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Under SDG 5 (Gender Equality):
   • Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. The article is almost entirely focused on this target, detailing the high rates of femicide, domestic violence, and sexual assault faced by women in El Salvador. The statistic that “Sixty-seven percent of Salvadoran women have suffered some form of violence” is a direct measure of the challenge related to this target.
2. Under SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions):
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article provides clear data on this, citing El Salvador’s high homicide rate of “51 murders for every 100,000 inhabitants in 2018” and the specific femicide rate of “one woman… every 24 hours in 2018.”
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. This target is addressed through the article’s discussion of impunity. The facts that “only 6% of victims had reported abuse,” “only a quarter of femicide cases make it to court and only 7% result in convictions,” and that only one femicide-suicide case has resulted in charges, all point to a severe lack of access to justice for women.
3. Under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The article’s focus on “femicide suicide” directly relates to this target. The phenomenon of driving women to suicide through abuse is a critical mental health issue, and the statistic that “51 of the 285 femicides… were suicides” illustrates a form of premature mortality linked to psychological distress.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. For Target 5.2 (Eliminate violence against women):
   • Proportion of women subjected to physical, sexual or psychological violence: The article states, “Sixty-seven percent of Salvadoran women have suffered some form of violence in their lifetime.”
   • Number of intentional homicides of women (femicides): The article provides several data points: “one woman was the victim of a femicide… every 24 hours in 2018,” a total of “383” femicides in 2018, and a 30% reduction in the first four months of 2019 compared to the previous year.
2. For Target 16.1 (Reduce violence and death rates):
   • Number of intentional homicides per 100,000 population: The article explicitly provides this indicator, stating there were “51 murders for every 100,000 inhabitants in 2018.”
3. For Target 16.3 (Promote rule of law and access to justice):
   • Proportion of victims of violence who reported their victimization to competent authorities: The article provides a clear indicator: “only 6% of victims had reported abuse to authorities.”
   • Conviction rates for violent crimes: The article implies this indicator by stating that for femicide cases, “only 7% result in convictions.” For femicide-suicide cases, it notes that “only one has resulted in charges.”
4. For Target 3.4 (Promote mental health and reduce premature mortality):
   • Suicide mortality rate: The article provides a specific indicator related to gender violence by stating, “51 of the 285 femicides that occurred in the first six months of 2018 were suicides.” This can be used as a proxy indicator for the mortality rate resulting from severe psychological abuse.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: time.com