A young Cuban woman, aged 25, was tragically murdered by her ex-partner in Güines, a municipality in Mayabeque. A post in the Facebook group "Desaparecidos dentro de Cuba. Somos tu voz" reported on Thursday what may be the 33rd femicide in the country this year.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The incident took place in the Leguina neighborhood, where the victim suffered three stab wounds. "The murdered young woman was identified as Saimí Hernández, 25 years old and a mother of a young child, who now remains orphaned," the post details.
The perpetrator is known to have been a former partner with a lengthy criminal record, including previous imprisonments, although his identity has not been disclosed publicly. "It is also unknown if this murderer is currently in the hands of the authorities," the note adds.
Hundreds of people have expressed their sorrow over the incident online. Internet user Marilyn Martínez confirmed that Saimí was a mother of two children.
This week, the feminist platform YoSíTeCreo en Cuba raised the number of femicides this year to 32, after verifying the death of 16-year-old Yenifer Vargas Gómez, who was stabbed by her ex-boyfriend in Santiago de Cuba. The platform noted that this case had a "particularly severe connotation as it was committed against a 10th-grade pre-university student," indicating that the victim was a minor.
The sub-registry conducted by the Observatorio de Género Alas Tensas (OGAT) and YoSíTeCreo en Cuba up until August 14th records 32 femicides, three attempted femicides, six cases in need of police investigation, and two murders of men due to gender-based motives.
Understanding Femicide in Cuba
To provide a deeper understanding of the ongoing issue of femicide in Cuba, here are some critical questions and answers.
What defines femicide?
Femicide is the killing of a woman or girl, in particular by a man, on account of her gender.
How many femicides have been reported in Cuba this year?
As of the latest reports, there have been 32 confirmed femicides in Cuba this year.
What actions are being taken against femicide in Cuba?
Organizations like YoSíTeCreo en Cuba and Observatorio de Género Alas Tensas are working to document and raise awareness about femicides, while also advocating for stronger legal actions and protections for women.