‘Uphill battle’: Criminal Code must include definition for femicide, advocates say
Global NewsSunday, June 8, 2025 at 3:46:56 PM
Advocates are pushing the Canadian government to officially recognize "femicide" in the Criminal Code—a term already being used by some Ontario police to describe killings targeting women because of their gender. They argue that formalizing the definition would help track and address gender-based violence more effectively, but acknowledge it’s an "uphill battle" to get lawmakers on board.
Editor’s Note: Right now, Canada’s legal system doesn’t specifically classify femicide as a distinct crime, even though police and activists see it as a glaring pattern in violent deaths of women. Adding this definition could force the justice system to take gender-based killings more seriously—not just as isolated crimes, but as part of a broader societal issue. It’s a fight that could change how we document, prosecute, and ultimately prevent these tragedies.
— Curated via WP Now’s
