The killing of Marquez, another victim of Mexico’s gender-based violence? | DW News

Key Concepts:

• Femicide: The murder of a woman because of her gender.
• Impunity: Exemption from punishment or freedom from the injurious consequences of an action.
• Gender-based violence: Violence directed against a person because of their gender.
• Online Harassment: Abusive or threatening behavior that takes place online.
• Algorithmic Publicity: The way algorithms on social media platforms promote and reward content.
• Re-victimization: The experience of being victimized again, often by the same or similar actions.

Valeria Marquez's Murder and its Context

• Incident: Valeria Marquez, a 23-year-old TikTok influencer, was shot and killed during a live stream in Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico.
• Prior Fear: Marquez had previously expressed fear for her safety.
• Investigation: Prosecutors are investigating the murder as a possible femicide, believing she was killed by hired assassins.
• Location: The murder occurred inside a beauty salon in a mall, captured by security cameras.
• Perpetrators: A man was heard saying "It's Valyria," before the attack. Another person waited outside on a motorcycle for the attacker.
• Presidential Involvement: Mexico's president stated that the security cabinet is involved in the investigation to find those responsible and determine the motive.

Social Media and Vulnerability

• Empowerment vs. Vulnerability: Sharing details on social media can be empowering but also creates vulnerabilities.
• Organized Crime: Organized crime is emboldened by the impunity that exists on social media.
• Algorithmic Promotion: Corporate media and algorithms often promote upsetting, violent, and divisive content, rewarding it with more visibility.
• Platform Responsibility: Platforms are criticized for not doing enough to protect users and for promoting harmful content.
• Lack of Protection: There are insufficient guard rails, protection, and effective legal frameworks to address online violence, particularly in Mexico.

Femicide in Mexico

• Definition: Femicide in the Mexican context is the murder of a woman because of her gender.
• Legal Framework: Femicide is typified by federal law, and the state of Jalisco has specific laws to investigate such killings.
• Investigation Prioritization: Investigating a killing as femicide provides authorities with more resources.

Gender-Based Violence in Mexico: Causes and Challenges

• High Rates: Mexico has one of the highest rates of gender-related killings in the world.
• Impunity: A significant cause is impunity, with around 92% of homicides going unpunished.
• Lack of Gender Lenses: Institutions of security and prevention of crimes lack gender-sensitive training.
• Cultural Factors: Gender discrimination is prevalent across Mexican society, and victims are often re-victimized.
• War on Drugs: The ongoing war on drugs and cartel violence contribute to a dangerous environment for women. Jalisco, where the murder occurred, is a particularly violent state and the home of the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación.
• Presidential Stance: President Sheinbaum is criticized for not acknowledging the severity of femicide and for not implementing effective measures to combat it. She is perceived as not being a feminist and not prioritizing the issue. Between seven and eight women are murdered every day in Mexico simply for being women.

Social Media's Contradictory Effects

• Platform for Denunciation: Social media has provided women with a platform to organize and denounce violence, particularly femicides.
• Lack of Protection: Social media does not protect women before, during, or after tragic events.
• Re-victimization: The case of Valeria Marquez is being discussed in a way that is not respectful, with her being re-victimized and blamed for her own murder.

Notable Quotes:

• Louisa Ortiz: "It is very interesting to see how that in the context of algorithmic uh publicity also will make content spike in a tremendous way."
• Louisa Ortiz: "President Shinbal is not a feminist and she is not a person who believes uh that the particular rate in which women are being murdered in Mexico every day between seven and eight women are murdered by the fact that they are only by the fact that they are being women."
• Professor Kmer Clope Santa Maria: "In Mexico around 92% of homicides go unpunished 92% of crimes go unpunished and femicide is not an exception."

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The murder of Valeria Marquez highlights the complex interplay between social media, gender-based violence, and impunity in Mexico. While social media can be a tool for empowerment and denunciation, it also creates vulnerabilities and can contribute to re-victimization. The high rates of femicide in Mexico are driven by a combination of factors, including impunity, lack of gender-sensitive training in institutions, cultural discrimination, and the ongoing war on drugs. The effectiveness of current measures and the commitment of the government to address these issues are questioned.