Puno region faces potential rise in femicide cases

The Puno region in Peru could see its annual femicide count rise to five following two recent incidents. According to Yuri Mamani Hancco, coordinator for the Ministry of Women and Vulnerable Populations’ Warmi Ñan program, three cases had been officially recorded through August.

The potential increase follows the discovery of the body of 20-year-old Luz Anghela Pérez Toma in the Las Cruces neighborhood of Puno, as well as another incident in Juliaca currently under investigation. While the final classification depends on investigations by the Public Ministry, multidisciplinary teams from the Warmi Ñan program are currently providing legal, psychological, and social support to the families of the victims.

Mamani Hancco noted that in many instances, victims and their social circles remained silent regarding abuse until the fatal events occurred.