World Bank Report 2026: Femicide Legislation – Leading Countries
The World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 report introduces a transformative shift in global benchmarks. For the first time, "Safety"—specifically the legal recognition and criminalization of femicide—is a core indicator across 190 economies. This recognizes that women’s economic participation is fundamentally tied to their freedom from the most extreme forms of violence.
While only 4% of women worldwide live in countries with full legal equality, a select group of nations is leading the way in codifying protections against gender-motivated killings.
Top 7 Countries for Femicide Legislation
According to the World Bank and supplemental 2026 data from UN Women, these seven countries represent the global vanguard in establishing specific legal frameworks to define, prosecute, and monitor femicide.
| Rank | Country | Key Legislative Milestone | Impact & World Bank Highlight |
| 1 | Mexico | Federal Penal Code Amendment | The global pioneer; first to adopt a federal femicide law (2012) and a leader in gender-disaggregated data collection. |
| 2 | Brazil | Law 13.104 (Femicide Law) | Scores high (85/100) in the WBL index for combining criminal law with the comprehensive Maria da Penha protection framework. |
| 3 | Albania | 2026 VAW Prevention Act | A new 2026 leader; established the first Femicide Observatory in the Western Balkans to track and prevent gender-based killings. |
| 4 | Gabon | Elimination of VAW Law | The leader in Sub-Saharan Africa; enacted strict life imprisonment penalties specifically for gender-motivated murders. |
| 5 | Peru | Law No. 30068 | Recognized for its "ALEGRA" legal aid system, which provides specialized, free legal support for femicide survivor families. |
| 6 | Egypt | 2024–2025 Legal Reforms | Named a "Top Reformer" by the World Bank; recently increased scores by nearly 10 points through strengthened safety and workplace protections. |
| 7 | Ecuador | Integral Penal Code (COIP) | One of the first to implement "comprehensive reparation" for children of femicide victims, a key WBL "Supportive Framework." |
The New "Safety" Standard
In the 2026 report, the World Bank moved beyond just looking at "laws on the books" (De Jure) to include how these laws are actually felt by women. The "Safety" score is now determined by three pillars:
Legal Frameworks: Is femicide a distinct crime?
Supportive Frameworks: Are there national action plans and specialized courts?
Enforcement Perceptions: Do legal experts on the ground believe the law is actually working?
The Reality Check: Globally, the World Bank found that while safety laws are increasing, enforcement is perceived to be only 53% effective. In Latin America, where laws are strongest, implementation remains a challenge due to high regional violence rates.
Regional Trends
Latin America: Still the leader in Legal Recognition, with 17 of the 29 economies that have specific femicide laws located here.
OECD High-Income: Often lack a specific "femicide" label, instead using "Aggravated Homicide," which the World Bank suggests can sometimes hide the gendered nature of the crime.
Sub-Saharan Africa: Currently the fastest-reforming region, with 33 major legal reforms recorded in the last two years alone.
Mexico: The Global Architect of Femicide Law
In the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 report, Mexico is highlighted as a foundational leader in the "Safety" indicator. Despite significant ongoing security challenges, Mexico remains the primary legal reference point for how modern states can codify the specific crime of gender-motivated killing.
1. The Federal Milestone (2012)
Mexico made history in 2012 by becoming the first country to incorporate femicide (feminicidio) into its Federal Penal Code (Article 325). This move was revolutionary because it shifted the legal focus from the relationship between the victim and perpetrator to the gendered motive of the crime. Under Mexican law, a homicide is classified as femicide if it meets specific criteria, such as:
Signs of sexual violence.
Infliction of degrading injuries or mutilations.
A history of violence in the family, work, or school environment.
The victim's body being exposed or displayed in a public place.
2. The 2024-2026 Reform Wave
Mexico has not rested on its 2012 laurels. Between 2024 and early 2026, the country enacted a series of "named laws" to close loopholes used by perpetrators:
The Monzón Law (2024): Removes parental rights from men who are charged with or convicted of femicide against the mother of their children.
The Malena Law (2024): Specifically criminalizes "acid attacks" as a precursor or attempt at femicide.
The Paola Buenrostro Law (2024): Recognized as a global breakthrough, this law formally criminalizes trans-femicide, providing up to 70 years in prison for those who murder trans women based on gender identity.
3. World Bank Performance: Scores vs. Reality
In the 2026 WBL Index, Mexico’s performance reveals a stark contrast between its advanced legal theory and its practical execution:
| Pillar | Score (out of 100) | Analysis |
| Legal Frameworks | 83 | Reflects Mexico's world-class statutes and comprehensive penal codes. |
| Supportive Frameworks | 68 | Shows the existence of specialized "Gender Violence Alerts" and victim centers. |
| Enforcement Perceptions | 54 | Highlights the "impunity gap," where only a fraction of murders are successfully prosecuted as femicides. |
4. Structural Innovations
The World Bank identifies Mexico’s Gender Violence Alert (AVGM) as a unique supportive framework. This mechanism allows the federal government to declare an emergency in specific municipalities, triggering immediate funding for specialized police units, better street lighting, and psychological support services for at-risk women.
Key Takeaway: While Mexico’s "Safety" score is high due to its sophisticated laws, the 2026 report emphasizes that impunity remains the final frontier. Legal experts in Mexico estimate that while the law is perfect on paper, the practical enforcement is still only perceived as roughly 50% effective.
Brazil: Scaling Up to a "National Pact"
In the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 report, Brazil is recognized as a regional heavyweight that has moved beyond simple criminalization toward a "whole-of-government" response. With a legal framework score of 82/100, Brazil is currently navigating the difficult transition from having strong laws to ensuring they are actually felt in the lives of 100 million women.
1. The 10-Year Evolution of the Femicide Law
The year 2025 marked the 10th anniversary of Brazil’s Femicide Law (Law No. 13.104). This law was a critical addition to the Penal Code, classifying the murder of a woman as a "heinous crime" (crime hediondo) when committed due to:
Domestic and family violence.
Contempt or discrimination against the condition of being a woman.
This legislation serves as the "punitive teeth" to the famous Maria da Penha Law (2006), which remains one of the world's most cited examples of comprehensive domestic violence protection.
2. 2026 Breakthrough: The National Pact for Zero Femicide
In February 2026, the Brazilian government launched an unprecedented National Pact: Brazil Against Femicide. The World Bank report highlights this as a "Supportive Framework" model because it aligns all three branches of government—Executive, Legislative, and Judicial—under a single strategy.
Key 2026 Initiatives include:
Targeted Arrests: A nationwide effort to execute over 1,000 outstanding arrest warrants for perpetrators of gender-based violence.
Aggressor Tracking: Implementing GPS monitoring for individuals under protective orders to prevent "femicides foretold."
The "Pecuniary Accountability" Law (2025): A landmark reform where the state can now sue aggressors to pay child support and reimburse the public healthcare system (SUS) for costs incurred by their violence.
3. The World Bank "Safety" Scorecard (2026)
| Indicator Category | Score (out of 100) | Current Status |
| Legal Frameworks | 82 | Strong, with recent 2025 updates to protective measures and gun ownership restrictions for abusers. |
| Supportive Frameworks | 75 | Expanding through "Houses of the Brazilian Woman" (integrated service centers), though funding gaps persist at local levels. |
| Enforcement Perceptions | 65 | Higher than the regional average, but experts still cite a "systemic failure" in preventing deaths of women who had already filed complaints. |
4. The "Data Paradox"
The World Bank notes a "Data Paradox" in Brazil: while femicide numbers reached a record high in 2025 (averaging 4 deaths per day), this is partly attributed to improved reporting.
Better Classification: More murders that were previously labeled "homicides" are now correctly identified as "femicides" by specialized police units.
Transparency: Brazil’s commitment to publishing sex-disaggregated data is among the highest in the LAC region, which helps in creating more accurate prevention budgets.
Key Takeaway: Brazil’s 2026 strategy moves the focus from "punishment after the fact" to prevention and financial accountability. By making violence "economically and socially expensive" for the perpetrator, Brazil aims to dismantle the sexist culture that sustains these crimes.
Albania: The Balkan Beacon of Monitoring
In the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 report, Albania is highlighted as one of the few economies in the Europe and Central Asia (ECA) region that has taken proactive steps to address the legal silence around gender-motivated killings.
While many neighboring countries still treat these crimes under general homicide statutes, Albania has integrated specialized monitoring and new legislation to bridge the gap between "law on the books" and "safety in the streets."
1. The 2026 "Prevention and Protection" Act
In January 2026, Albania adopted the Law on the Prevention and Protection from Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence. This was a major leap forward that expanded the legal definition of violence beyond the home.
Digital Violence: Formally criminalized online harassment and "tech-facilitated" violence as a precursor to physical harm.
Public Spaces: Extended protections to workplaces, politics, and public transit—addressing a key World Bank concern about women's mobility and economic participation.
2. The Western Balkans' First Femicide Observatory
The World Bank identifies Albania’s Femicide Observatory (established in 2024 within the People’s Advocate) as a premier "Supportive Framework."
The Goal: To systematically track gender-related killings and identify "systemic gaps" where the state failed to intervene.
The Data: Between 2021 and 2024, the Observatory recorded 27 femicides, revealing that nearly 90% were committed by intimate partners or family members—providing the evidence needed for the 2026 legislative push.
3. The World Bank "Safety" Scorecard (2026)
| Pillar | Score (out of 100) | Analysis |
| Legal Frameworks | 78 | Higher than the global average; recognized for strong domestic violence and harassment laws. |
| Supportive Frameworks | 61 | Boosted by the Femicide Observatory and the 2026 National Action Plan. |
| Enforcement Perceptions | 62 | Reflects moderate expert confidence, though concerns remain about access to legal aid. |
4. Addressing the "Legal Aid Gap"
A critical finding in the 2026 data is that while Albania has strong laws, access to justice is the bottleneck.
The 22% Stat: Research found that only 22% of domestic violence victims in Albania had legal representation in court.
The Impact: In cases where women did have a lawyer, protection orders were granted in almost 100% of instances.
2026 Reform: The government has recently pledged to expand state-funded legal aid specifically for femicide "at-risk" cases to ensure the 2026 Act is actually enforceable.
Key Takeaway: Albania’s strategy is built on Evidence-Based Policy. By creating a dedicated Observatory to "count" the violence, they have forced a legal evolution that many of their regional peers have yet to begin.
Gabon: The Reformer of Sub-Saharan Africa
In the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 report, Gabon is distinguished as one of only two economies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region (alongside South Sudan) to have specific legal provisions addressing femicide.
Gabon's inclusion in this global "top list" is the result of a massive legislative overhaul known as the Gabon Égalité strategy, which has turned the country into a regional blueprint for legal gender reform.
1. Law No. 006/2021: The "Big Bang" of Reform
Gabon’s high "Safety" score is primarily rooted in Law No. 006/2021 (Elimination of Violence Against Women). This law did what few others in Africa have: it moved beyond general assault to name gender-based crimes specifically.
Femicide Recognition: The law identifies killings motivated by the victim's gender as a distinct category of crime, often carrying the maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Marital Rape: Gabon became one of the few countries in the region to explicitly criminalize marital rape, removing the "private sphere" shield that often hides precursors to femicide.
Duty of Obedience: The 2021 reforms abolished the legal "duty of wifely obedience" in the Civil Code, a move the World Bank highlights as essential for giving women the legal agency to leave dangerous domestic situations.
2. The National Observatory for Women's Rights
A key requirement for a high score in the World Bank’s "Supportive Frameworks" is the existence of a monitoring agency. Gabon established the National Observatory for Women's Rights to:
Collect real-time data on gender-based violence (GBV).
Provide a "centralized alert" system that coordinates police response across Gabon’s provinces.
Monitor the judiciary to ensure that femicide cases are not downgraded to "crimes of passion" during sentencing.
3. The World Bank "Safety" Scorecard (2026)
| Pillar | Score (out of 100) | Analysis |
| Legal Frameworks | 74 | Significantly higher than the Sub-Saharan regional average (approx. 59). |
| Supportive Frameworks | 23 | Indicates a major "Implementation Gap." While laws exist, the physical infrastructure (shelters, hotlines) is still being built. |
| Enforcement Perceptions | 52 | Reflects a growing confidence among legal experts that the 2021 reforms are starting to change court outcomes. |
4. Economic Impact of Safety
The World Bank report explicitly links Gabon’s safety laws to its economic growth. By removing legal barriers (like needing a husband's permission to work or open a bank account) and providing safety protections, Gabon has seen a steady rise in female labor participation.
Key Insight: Gabon is a "Top Reformer." In just three years, it jumped from being a laggard to a leader by adopting 26 separate gender-equality recommendations from the World Bank.
Peru: The Multi-Dimensional Approach
In the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 report, Peru is highlighted for its sophisticated legal architecture. While many countries focus solely on the criminal act, Peru has built a system that addresses the socio-economic aftermath of femicide, particularly for the most vulnerable survivors: the children left behind.
1. Evolution of the Femicide Law (Law No. 30068)
Peru was an early adopter in South America, criminalizing femicide in 2013 and continuously refining the statute (most recently in 2024–2025). The law is notable for its "Aggravated Femicide" clauses, which mandate harsher sentences (up to life imprisonment) if:
The victim was pregnant.
The victim was under the age of 18 or over 60.
The perpetrator used a position of authority or trust.
The act was committed in the presence of the victim's children.
2. The "ALEGRA" Centers: A Global Best Practice
The World Bank identifies Peru’s ALEGRA Centers (Legal Centers for Free Specialized Assistance) as a gold standard for "Supportive Frameworks."
These centers provide multidisciplinary teams (lawyers, psychologists, and social workers) specifically trained in gender-based violence.
They ensure that families of femicide victims do not navigate the complex legal system alone, addressing the "Legal Aid Gap" that plagues other middle-income nations.
3. The World Bank "Safety" Scorecard (2026)
| Pillar | Score (out of 100) | Analysis |
| Legal Frameworks | 85 | High score due to clear definitions and the inclusion of "Attempted Femicide" as a major crime. |
| Supportive Frameworks | 72 | Boosted by the "Economic Orphanhood Assistance" program for children of victims. |
| Enforcement Perceptions | 58 | Reflects a significant gap between high-quality urban services and lower enforcement in rural Andean/Amazonian regions. |
4. Economic Reparations for Orphans
A unique feature of Peru’s strategy that the World Bank highlights is the Economic Assistance for Victims of Femicide. Since 2020, Peru has provided a bimonthly financial stipend to the children of femicide victims to ensure they can remain in school and access healthcare.
Why this matters for the WBL Index: The World Bank emphasizes that domestic violence is an economic trap. By securing the future of the next generation, Peru is actively working to break the cycle of poverty and violence that femicide creates.
Key Takeaway: Peru’s strength lies in its "Integral Approach." It is one of the few countries that treats femicide not just as a police matter, but as a public health and economic crisis requiring long-term state support for survivors.
Egypt: The World’s "Top Reformer"
In the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law (WBL) 2026 report, Egypt was named the world’s top reformer over the two-year period leading into 2026. This recognition comes from a massive legislative push that increased Egypt’s legal equality score by nearly 10 points, the largest jump of any of the 190 economies assessed.
While the region (Middle East and North Africa) traditionally has the lowest scores globally, Egypt has broken away from the pack by modernizing its labor and safety laws.
1. The 2024–2025 Legislative Overhaul
Egypt’s "Safety" and "Work" scores saw dramatic increases due to a series of amendments to the Penal Code and the Labor Law (specifically Labor Law No. 14 of 2025):
Sexual Harassment: Egypt strengthened criminal penalties and civil remedies for sexual harassment in employment, education, and public spaces (including transportation).
Equal Pay: For the first time, Egypt mandated equal remuneration for work of equal value, removing legal justifications for gender-based pay gaps.
Parental Leave: Paid maternity leave was extended from 90 to 120 days, and a historic one day of paid paternity leave was introduced to encourage shared caregiving.
Flexible Work: Egypt became one of the few MENA economies to legally allow employees to request flexible work arrangements.
2. The Femicide Recognition Gap
Despite being a "Top Reformer," the World Bank highlights a critical area where Egypt still lags behind Latin American leaders: specific femicide legislation.
Generic Classification: Egypt does not yet recognize "femicide" as a distinct legal category. Gender-motivated killings are currently prosecuted under general homicide laws.
The "Honor" Loophole: Rights groups and the 2026 report point to Article 17 of the Penal Code, which allows judges to reduce sentences in "special circumstances"—a loophole often exploited in cases of intimate partner violence.
Digital Violence: Egypt is a regional leader in addressing technology-facilitated violence, passing comprehensive laws to protect women from online harassment and "deepfake" extortion, which are often precursors to physical harm.
3. The World Bank "Safety" Scorecard (2026)
| Pillar | Egypt Score | Regional Average (MENA) |
| Legal Frameworks | 49.00 | 43.24 |
| Supportive Frameworks | 48.00 | 36.25 |
| Enforcement Perceptions | 42.00 | 37.32 |
4. FemiMap: Civil Society Fills the Data Void
Because official state data on femicide is limited, the 2026 report acknowledges the role of Egyptian civil society.
FemiMap: Launched in late 2025 by the group Tadwein, this AI-powered platform tracks gender-based killings across Egypt using verified media reports.
The Findings: In 2025 alone, monitoring groups documented at least 80 cases of femicide, providing the "Supportive Framework" data that the World Bank encourages governments to adopt officially.
Key Takeaway: Egypt is the global "Most Improved" player. Its strategy has been to fix the economic engine first (workplace safety and equal pay) while civil society builds the pressure for a Unified Anti-Violence Law that would finally codify femicide as a standalone crime.
Ecuador: The Champion of Comprehensive Reparation
In the global landscape of gender-based legislation, Ecuador is recognized as a regional leader with an impressive Legal Framework score of 89/100. While it shares many legal foundations with its neighbors, Ecuador stands out for its focus on the "invisible victims" of femicide—the families and children left behind.
1. The COIP and "Gender Hatred"
Ecuador’s legal backbone is the Comprehensive Organic Penal Code (COIP). Since 2014, Article 141 has defined femicide not just as the murder of a woman, but as a crime committed "as a result of power relations manifested in any type of violence" or "hatred for their gender."
Sentencing: Convictions carry a prison term of 22 to 26 years.
Aggravating Factors: Sentences are pushed to the maximum (34.5 years) if the victim was a minor, pregnant, or if the act was committed in front of her children.
2. The Shift to "Integral Reparation"
Ecuador has established a global benchmark for "Supportive Frameworks." Its laws mandate that the state provide more than just a criminal sentence; it must provide a future for survivors through the Organic Law on Support and Reparation.
Orphan Stipends: Children of femicide victims are entitled to a monthly financial allowance (approximately $120) to prevent them from falling into poverty.
Preferential Services: Families receive "priority access" to state scholarships, specialized psychological counseling, and free medical care.
The Unique Registry: A digital system designed to prevent femicide by flagging high-risk cases across police, health, and judicial databases before they become lethal.
3. Safety Scorecard
| Pillar | Performance | Analysis |
| Legal Frameworks | High | Reflects robust laws on equal pay, workplace safety, and criminal definitions. |
| Supportive Frameworks | Moderate | Strong on paper, but recently impacted by the dissolution of specialized ministries. |
| Enforcement Perceptions | Developing | Experts note a "Data Gap": official records often count fewer femicides than civil society monitors. |
4. Challenges: The Institutional Crisis
Despite high legal scores, the current climate reveals a warning regarding institutional stability.
Ministry Restructuring: Recent moves to merge the Ministry of Women into larger human rights entities have raised concerns about the loss of specialized oversight and dedicated budgets.
The Impunity Gap: Civil society groups report that while violent deaths of women are high, only a fraction are officially prosecuted as femicides, often due to a lack of gender-sensitive training among local prosecutors.
Key Takeaway: Ecuador’s legal code is nearly perfect on paper. However, the current challenge is ensuring that specialized institutions remain intact to manage the budget for reparations and data collection, preventing the law from becoming symbolic rather than transformative.
Global Gold Standards: Best Practices in Femicide Legislation
Across the leading countries identified in the 2026 World Bank criteria, several "gold standard" practices have emerged. These nations have moved beyond simply naming the crime; they have integrated legal, economic, and social mechanisms to create a holistic safety net for women.
1. Specialized Criminal Codification (Mexico & Ecuador)
The most fundamental best practice is the transition from "homicide" to a specific Femicide (Feminicidio) statute.
The Motive Clause: Laws in Mexico and Ecuador do not just look at the act of killing but at the gendered circumstances. This includes signs of sexual violence, degradation of the body, or the victim being held in incommunicado.
Preventing "Crimes of Passion" Defense: By codifying femicide specifically, these countries prevent defense lawyers from using "emotional distress" or "jealousy" to reduce sentences—a common loophole in general homicide cases.
2. Comprehensive Reparation for Survivors (Ecuador & Peru)
Recognizing that femicide destroys entire family structures, these countries have pioneered state-funded support for the children left behind.
Economic Stipends: Providing a monthly allowance to orphans ensures they are not forced into child labor or poverty, breaking the generational cycle of vulnerability.
Psychological and Legal Aid: Through programs like Peru's ALEGRA centers, families receive free, multidisciplinary support, ensuring they aren't revictimized by a complex judicial system.
3. Evidence-Based Monitoring (Albania)
A law is only as effective as the data supporting it. Albania’s best practice involves the creation of a Femicide Observatory.
Gap Analysis: This body reviews every case where a woman was killed to see if she had previously sought help. If she had filed a report and was still killed, the Observatory identifies which state agency (police, courts, or social services) failed to protect her.
Disaggregated Data: Collecting data specifically on the relationship between the victim and perpetrator helps refine prevention strategies.
4. Integrated Protection Pacts (Brazil)
Brazil’s "National Pact" model represents a shift toward inter-agency cooperation.
The "Whole-of-Government" Approach: Instead of the Ministry of Justice working in a vacuum, they coordinate with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor.
Aggressor Accountability: A unique best practice in Brazil is the "Pecuniary Accountability" law, where the state can legally sue the perpetrator to pay for the victim's healthcare costs and the children’s welfare, shifting the financial burden from the state to the criminal.
5. Workplace and Economic Mobility (Egypt)
Egypt has demonstrated that economic safety is a precursor to physical safety.
Mobility Protection: By strictly criminalizing harassment on public transport and in the workplace, the state ensures women can physically leave dangerous environments to pursue financial independence.
Labor Rights: Granting paid maternity and paternity leave reduces the domestic power imbalance that often fuels gender-based violence.
6. Removing Structural Barriers (Gabon)
Gabon’s primary best practice is the "Legal Cleanup"—removing outdated laws that indirectly trap women in violent cycles.
Abolishing "Duty of Obedience": By removing the legal requirement for a wife to obey her husband, the state officially recognizes a woman’s right to autonomy, making it legally easier for her to escape an abusive partner without losing her civil rights.
Summary of Best Practices
| Category | Best Practice | Leading Example |
| Legal | Standalone Femicide Statute | Mexico |
| Economic | Orphan Stipends & Reparations | Ecuador |
| Social | Multidisciplinary Legal Aid | Peru |
| Systemic | Inter-agency National Pacts | Brazil |
| Data | Independent Femicide Observatories | Albania |
| Workplace | Harassment-Free Public Transit | Egypt |
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