Argentina erupts in protest over teen girl's murder: 'We cannot lose one more'

Thousands of Argentines took to the streets nationwide to protest femicide and gender-based violence, spurred by the recent murder of 14-year-old Agostina Vega. Vega was found strangled and sexually assaulted in a field outside Cordoba, with authorities arresting 33-year-old Claudio Barillieri, a former boyfriend of her mother, on charges of gender-based hate crime.

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We have grown up in an environment where discussions about gender equality are more active than in previous generations, but we are still not free from the problems that women of the past experienced.

The investigation revealed Vega left her home on the night of her disappearance, telling her family she was going to her grandfather's restaurant. CCTV footage showed her entering Barillieri's home, but not leaving. Her family and activists criticized the police for a delayed response to the initial search request and for not taking appropriate action despite Barillieri's past reports of domestic violence.

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The fact of being a woman affects every moment of life, from the moment you wake up until you go to sleep.

Vega's death has sent shockwaves through Argentina, especially as it follows the recent murders of a 17-year-old girl and a 30-year-old woman. These incidents have reignited national debate on gender-based violence. The protests coincided with the 11th anniversary of the "Ni Una Menos" (Not One Less Woman) movement, which began in 2015 after the murder of another 14-year-old girl, Chiara Paez.

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An atmosphere is being created where influencers can express hateful and discriminatory opinions about women without hesitation.

Protesters also voiced concerns over the current government's policies. They highlighted an 89% reduction in the budget for women's violence prevention and victim support programs since President Javier Milei took office in 2023. This move reflects the administration's stance on reducing state intervention in gender policy and emphasizing formal equality before the law. Milei himself has previously criticized laws that impose heavier penalties for femicide, arguing that "no life is worth more than another."

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It is obvious that when women are murdered, they receive heavier punishments in many so-called civilized countries. This means that women's lives are considered more valuable than men's.