Panama launches specialized protocol amid rise in femicides

Panama's Public Ministry has introduced the "Protocol Patricia," a specialized tool designed to enhance the investigation and prosecution of femicide cases. This initiative comes in response to a significant surge in such crimes, with an 86% increase recorded in the first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year.

The protocol aims to guide prosecutors from the initial reporting of a crime through to the trial phase. It establishes technical criteria to improve investigative methods, procedural actions, and the legal basis for judicial decisions. The Public Ministry stated that the protocol "guides the work of prosecutors from the knowledge of the fact to the oral trial."

Named in honor of prosecutor Patricia Osa Sánchez, who was herself a victim of femicide in May, the protocol acknowledges her 17 years of dedicated service to the institution and her work with numerous victims. The development of this tool involved the Superior Institute for Training of Prosecutors, homicide and femicide prosecutors from across the country, and input from national and international experts, as well as best practices from UN Women and the Specialized Network on Gender.

Statistics from the Public Ministry reveal a stark rise in femicide and attempted femicide. Between January and June 2026, Panama recorded 13 femicides, up from seven in the first half of 2025. Additionally, 17 attempted femicides were reported, an 89% increase. The majority of these crimes occurred in the provinces of Panama, San Miguelito, and Panama Oeste. Most victims were between 18 and 44 years old, and nearly half of the murders were committed with firearms. Women's organizations have voiced concerns about the escalating violence and are demanding a more robust response from authorities to prevent these crimes and ensure access to justice.